$20,000 Donation to AMGA’s Campaign Will Help Efforts to Reduce Toll of High Blood Pressure
Newswise — ALEXANDRIA, VA- The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) announced today that the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) donated $20,000 to support Measure Up/Pressure Down, a national campaign to improve high blood pressure prevention, detection, and control, spearheaded by the American Medical Group Foundation (AMGF), AMGA's nonprofit education and research arm. PAMF is one of more than 140 medical groups and health systems that have signed on to participate in the campaign. Although there is no cost for participation, PAMF has demonstrated its commitment to meeting this public health challenge with the contribution.
“AMGF greatly appreciates PAMF’s support and dedication to curbing the burden of high blood pressure,” says Donald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE, president and chief executive officer of AMGA and secretary of the AMGF Board. “PAMF continues to be on the leading edge of healthcare transformation and we commend them for signing on as a group participant to meet the challenge of reducing high blood pressure, and for providing financial support to help ensure the campaign’s success.”
High blood pressure is one of the nation’s most significant health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure contributes to nearly 1,000 deaths a day and accounts for an estimated $156 billion in healthcare services, medications, and lost productivity. One of the most effective ways to control high blood pressure is for the patient to work with a coordinated healthcare team to get the condition under control. The central mission of Measure Up/Pressure Down is to mobilize medical groups and organized systems of care to adopt one or more evidence-based care processes that lead to measurable improvements in high blood pressure outcomes. To further the campaign's reach, the changes in clinical practice are being supplemented with patient education tools, strategic partnerships, special events, and a national media and public awareness strategy.
“Our primary care doctors, specialists and health educators are partners with our patients, and preventing and controlling high blood pressure is one part of that relationship,” said PAMF Executive Vice President Tony Marzoni, M.D., M.B.A. “Our support of the Measure Up/Pressure Down campaign is an important way to enhance our ongoing efforts to inspire people to take great care of themselves and their blood pressure.”
For many years, PAMF has provided free blood pressure screenings to patients and the public at its medical centers and at community health fairs. PAMF offers a variety of resources including health education classes and lectures, as well as shared medical appointments (for PAMF patients) focused on specific health concerns. Additionally, blood pressure testing and preventive care are keystones of PAMF’s South Asian health initiative.
Other partners and supporting organizations of Measure Up/Pressure Down include the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Million Hearts initiative, Association of Black Cardiologists, the American Heart Association, the American Society of Hypertension, the American Kidney Fund, and the Institute for Health and Productivity Management. The campaign also has two national sponsors that are committed to helping resolve this public health challenge: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
For more information about the campaign, visit www.MeasureUpPressureDown.com.
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About the Measure Up/Pressure Down CampaignThe American Medical Group Foundation (AMGF), the nonprofit arm of the American Medical Group Association, launched Measure Up/Pressure Down-a three-year national campaign to improve care and reduce the burden of high blood pressure on November 29, 2012. Measure Up/Pressure Down includes more than 140 medical groups, health systems and national partners such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The goal of the three-year campaign is to have 80 percent of high blood pressure patients in control of their condition by 2016.
About the Palo Alto Medical Foundation The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) for Health Care, Research and Education is a not-for-profit healthcare organization that is a pioneer in the multispecialty group practice of medicine. Founded in 1930, PAMF is part of the Peninsula Coastal Region of Sutter Health, one of the nation's leading not-for-profit networks of community-based healthcare providers. Sutter Health's Peninsula Coastal Region also includes Mills-Peninsula Health Services. PAMF's 1,100 affiliated physicians and 4,300 employees serve approximately 800,000 patients at its medical centers and clinics in Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. For more information: www.pamf.org. Twitter: http://twitter.com/paloaltomedical. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/paloaltomedicalfoundation
About AMGFThe American Medical Group Foundation (AMGF) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the American Medical Group Association and it supports and disseminates research on better ways to deliver health care that is scientifically sound and value-based. AMGF also develops and supports educational programs to enable all stakeholders-providers, payers, policymakers and patients to translate the evidence of what works best into everyday practice. www.amga.org/foundation
About AMGAThe American Medical Group Association represents some of the nation's largest, most prestigious medical practices, independent practice associations, accountable care organizations, and integrated healthcare delivery systems. AMGA's mission is to support its members in enhancing population health and care for patients through integrated systems of care. More than 130,000 physicians practice in AMGA member organizations, providing healthcare services for 120 million patients (approximately one in three Americans). Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, AMGA is the strategic partner for these organizations, providing a comprehensive package of benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs, publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. www.amga.org
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