Partners, Volunteers Highlight Chronic Disease Message

Monday, March 23, 2009

(Above) Jim Swanstrom, PFCD Co-Chair and President of Community Health Charities Iowa, begins the PFCD press conference in advance of President Obama's visit to Des Moines.

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease of Iowa hosted a series of events surrounding the third of the White House Regional Health Care Summits, which was held in Des Moines, Iowa on March 23. Several PFCD Iowa partners participated in the forum, and the group mounted an ambitious campaign to raise awareness of the growing crisis of chronic disease. In a press conference held the day before the Summit, a rally held outside the Summit, and in questions posed during the meeting, the group called upon national and local leaders in attendance to consider this crisis as the nation debates health care reform.

A video of the press conference, which featured PFCD co-chair Jim Swanstrom, Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss, Iowa Director of Public Health Tom Newton, and State Senator Jack Hatch, is posted below

At the summit Senator Harkin discussed the need for prevention and wellness programs to be incorporated into health reform. Iowa Health Director Thomas Newton and State Senator Jack Hatch spoke as guests of PFCD, sharing the stage with Senator Harkin, Iowa Governor Chet Culver and South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds.

(Above) Senator Harkin stakes out the importance of prevention and wellness in the national health reform strategy.