     
|
|
|
Wellmark Foundation supports
Posted January 12, 2005
IOWA CITY -- A University of Iowa pilot project designed to test a new, potentially cost-effective program to improve cardiovascular risk factor management has received a jump-start with a $50,000 grant from The Wellmark Foundation. In addition, The Wellmark Foundation granted $60,340 for a new UI program that will work with people identified as being high risk for developing diabetes to make simple lifestyle changes that will help prevent the onset of the disease. Both grants were made through the UI Foundation. Coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke remain the leading causes of death among Americans. Based on extensive clinical trial evidence, treating cholesterol and blood pressure, along with aspirin treatment, could reduce cardiovascular disease by more than 80 percent, according to Jennifer G. Robinson, M.D., M.P.H., program director of the UI Lipid Research Clinic. Other heart-healthy lifestyle factors, such as smoking cessation, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, weight control and diabetes management also further reduce the risk. Unfortunately, these proven risk factor interventions remain underutilized in clinical practice. The pilot Internet-based cardiovascular health program will focus on patient self-management to complement a clinical support system. The program has two components: a patient self-management system modeled on the success of diabetes self-management programs and a clinic support system. The diabetes grant will also focus on preventative measures. There are more than 5,000 overweight adults at risk for developing diabetes in the Iowa City/Coralville/Cedar Rapids area, according to Robert S. Bar, M.D., principal investigator for the UI project. A collaborative project between the U of I departments of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation Therapy, Nursing, Nutrition and Psychiatry, the program is designed to find those individuals with risk factors only and to develop a simple program of exercise and modest dietary change that will decrease the potential of developing diabetes. Dr. Sheila Riggs, executive director of The Wellmark Foundation, said the UI projects fit well with Wellmark's goals. "We introduced new priority areas in 2004 and are excited to see grant projects focusing on these new areas," Riggs said. "These projects will help ensure that those at risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes are receiving the medical care and education they need to reduce their risk." The Wellmark Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation created by Wellmark Inc., doing business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and The Wellmark Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Wellmark Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $7.34 million to 169 organizations in Iowa and South Dakota since 1997, as well as more than $1.7 million to United Way organizations in both states since 1997. These Wellmark grants are part of the UI's $1 billion comprehensive campaign, which will run through 2005 and is being conducted under the guidance of the UI Foundation. Named Good. Better. Best. Iowa: The Campaign to Advance Our Great University, the seven-year effort is raising private funds to help launch a variety of initiatives across the university, substantially increase the number of UI scholarships and endowed faculty positions, support new educational and research facilities, build the UI's endowment and fund outreach and service programs to benefit Iowans. The UI acknowledges the UI Foundation as the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university. For more information about the Good. Better. Best. Iowa campaign, visit its web site at www.GoodBetterBestIowa.org. Contact Information
Erin Minne Additional information about supporting the UI Carver College of Medicine, the UI College of Public Health, or the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics also is available on this site. |