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Calling All PAs!
The American Academy of Physician Assistants is frequently asked to become an active partner in national campaigns to improve patient care. By working on both the national and local levels, AAPA can educate other providers and the public about the role of PAs in expanding access to quality medical care. Here is a list of a few campaigns seeking PA assistance and involvement.
The Venous Disease Coalition (VDC)
The Venous Disease Coalition (VDC) is comprised of diverse organizations, including AAPA, committed in raising public and clinician awareness of venous disease. The condition affects more than 25% of the U.S. population and is a common cause of death and disability. The coalition provides PAs and other health professionals with access to clinical practice tools and educational resources to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. VDC Coalition activities and how to participate, visit the VDC Web site.
Divided We Fail is a non-partisan movement committed to amplifying the voices of those who believe that health care and long-term financial security are the most pressing issues facing the nation. The effort is being led by AARP, the Business Roundtable, and the Service Employees International Union, and is supported by a broad range of organizations, including national medical and health care groups such as AAPA. To learn more, visit the Divided We Fail Web site.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. AAPA is a participating partner in this program. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, call toll-free, 888/4PPA-NOW (888/477-2669).
Asthma Action America is a national asthma education campaign supported by leading organizations committed to improving health care. More than 30 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetime, including an estimated 9 million children under the age of 18. Asthma is a leading cause of activity limitation in the United States, and it places a significant burden not only on patients, but also on families, workplaces, schools, communities, and quality of life. Asthma Action America has developed a Web site with patient education information for those with asthma and for those who many know someone with asthma. AAPA is a supporting organization of Asthma Action America.
Healthy People 2010 is the prevention agenda for the nation. It is a statement of national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to health and to establish national goals to reduce these threats. AAPA is an active supporter of this campaign and is working to educate PAs about the agenda and ways to educate their patients to lead healthier lifestyles. To learn more about Healthy People 2010, visit http://www.healthypeople.gov/.
Campaign for Children's Health Care
More than 9 million children in the United State lack health insurance, and millions more have inadequate coverage. AAPA is a partner in the Campaign for Children's Health Care, a broad coalition dedicated to making high-quality, comprehensive, and affordable health insurance coverage for all of American's children a top national priority. Investing in children's health yields many benefits, including improved development, improved school performance, and long-term savings in health care costs. To learn more about the campaign and how to support its efforts, visit the Campaign for Children's Health Care Web site.
Other Events
January -- National Folic Acid Awareness Week
The National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA) is a partnership of 100 organizations, including AAPA, devoted to promoting the health benefits and consumption of folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects. All women of childbearing age need 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Research conducted by the Spina Bifida Association indicates that many women, Hispanic women in particular, have incorrect notions about folic acid. NCFA is providing patient education materials to order free of charge for National Folic Acid Awareness Week and encourages all PAs to become involved in this effort.
January -- Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
The Partnership to End Cervical Cancer is a collaboration of nearly 40 leading consumer, professional and policy organizations, including AAPA. It was formed to create a new standard of preventive health care for women that includes screening and vaccination to prevent cervical cancer. To learn more about educating patients about cervical cancer, visit the Partnership’s Web site.
Two million Americans are affected by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) annually. A subset will develop a pulmonary embolism (PE) and of those 200,000 die annually. March is DVT Awareness Month, a multi-faceted campaign aimed at raising awareness among consumers, health care professionals and policy makers about DVT and PE on a national and local level. AAPA is a member of the Coalition to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis. To learn more go to www.preventdvt.org.
April -- National Public Health Week
The observance of National Public Health Week (NPHW) focuses on Eliminating Health Disparities: Communities Moving from Statistics to Solution. With the sponsorship of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, and the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, NPHW is a successful national effort. To find out more, go to the National Public Health Week Web site.
April -- Cover the Uninsured Week
Cover the Uninsured Week promotes the importance of children's health coverage and demonstrate broad support for the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Activities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia highlight the success of SCHIP, demonstrate the need for children's health coverage programs, and continue to press for coverage for all uninsured Americans.
Participate in Cover the Uninsured Week. Log on to http://covertheuninsured.org to find out how you can get involved. AAPA is a supporting organization of Cover the Uninsured Week.
August/September -- Back to School Campaign
Among the millions of uninsured Americans are significant numbers of children who are currently eligible for publicly funded health care coverage programs but are not enrolled. Over half of uninsured children are Hispanic or African American. Covering Kids & Families works to enroll uninsured children and adults who are eligible for public health care coverage. The program operates through statewide projects and more than 140 local community projects. AAPA is a national partner of Covering Kids & Families. To learn more about the program and how to become involved, visit the campaign's Web site.
September -- Take A Loved One for a Checkup Day
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with AAPA and other local, state, and national organizations to encourage individuals and families to take charge of their health by visiting a health care professional, calling to make an appointment, or attending a health event in the community. This program is a key element of the department's Closing the Health Gap educational campaign designed to improve health among racial and ethnic minority populations.
In the past, more than 500 national, state, and local partners planned health activities in more than 200 communities. PAs are encouraged to do their part. To obtain additional information and a tool kit for planning a local event, visit the HHS Web site.
September -- National Adult Immunization Awareness Week
National Adult Immunization Awareness Week
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and the National Coalition for Adult Immunization set the dates for National Adult Immunization Awareness Week. Resources for those interested in participating in events are made available on the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.
September -- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Awareness
The Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Coalition is comprised of diverse organizations, including AAPA, committed in raising public and clinician awareness of peripheral arterial disease. The coalition provides PAs and other health professionals with access to clinical practice tools and educational resources to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of PAD. This September, there will be the launch of a nationwide PAD public awareness campaign and the release of new educational resources to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of PAD. To learn more of the PAD Coalition activities and how to participate, visit the PAD Web site.
October -- National Depression Screening Day (NDSD)
AAPA and Screening for Mental Health are pleased to announce their partnership on behalf of the National Depression Screening Day (NDSD). In recognition of the importance of mental health screening throughout the year, AAPA and Screening for Mental Health have provided in the past complimentary mental health screening kits for use in conjunction with NDSD. For more information call Anne Keliher at the NDSD office at 781/239-0071, ext. 112. Or to order your own mental health screening kit, go to www.mentalhealthscreening.org. AAPA is a primary care outreach sponsor of NDSD.
AAPA is a supporter of the National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP) in collaboration with government, medical, and other health professional organizations. COPD is the fourth major cause of death in the United States. Because of this the NLHEP has been implemented to develop and promote a nationwide program designed to identify COPD in its early stages. The US COPD Coalition works to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and to improve prevention and treatment of this lung disease.
November -- Heartburn Awareness Month
AAPA has partnered with the National Heartburn Alliance (NHBA) to support its mission to provide a community of support for heartburn sufferers. NHBA provides free educational materials about the causes and effects of heartburn, as well as self-care tips that offer patients relief and improved quality of life. More than 60 million Americans suffer from heartburn, and PAs are encouraged to screen, educate, and treat patients for the condition.
November -- National Family Caregivers Month
National Family Caregivers Month is a nationally recognized month that seeks to draw attention to the many challenges facing family caregivers, advocates for stronger public policy to address family caregiving issues, and raises awareness about community programs that support family caregivers. AAPA is a sponsoring organization of NFC Month. For more information visit the National Family Caregivers Association or call 800/896-3650.
November -- National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
The National Sleep Foundation announced the launch of the first annual Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, a national campaign to save the lives of young drivers by raising awareness of the dangers of drowsy driving and providing resources for advocacy at the state level. AAPA is a national cosponsor of the campaign.
Last Revised: 4/16/08
