Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Awards Two Major Contracts to Ogilvy Washington

Multi-year Contracts Establish a National Publicity Center and Regional Offices in Five States for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Promotion

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington, D.C., office of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Ogilvy Washington), an integrated global communications firm, announced today that it has been awarded two contracts from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These two 3-year contracts (with two additional option years) worth a combined $26.5 million, support AHRQ's efforts to market and promote the adoption of findings and reports related to Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, also known as comparative effectiveness research. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research is the direct comparison of health care interventions to determine which work best for which patients, and which pose the greatest benefits and harms. The bulk of both contracts is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which allots $1.1 billion for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research.

"Patient-Centered Outcomes Research is the lynchpin to good medical care in this country" said Robert Mathias, managing director of Ogilvy Washington. "Though many consumers do not know Patient-Centered Outcomes Research by name, its benefits are critically important. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research empowers patients and physicians with the information they need to choose the best possible treatment for an illness or condition tailored for individual patients. It provides comparisons of drugs, medical devices, tests, surgeries, and ways to deliver health care."

Ogilvy Washington will work with AHRQ to create a national Publicity Center as part of AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program (EHC) to market Patient-Centered Outcomes Research reports and associated materials to health care decision makers across the spectrum from clinicians to patients; and policy makers to health plan buyers. The goal is ensure broad dissemination of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research findings and encourage their use in health care decision making. Publicity Center activities will include media outreach, partnership development, public education campaigns, and online engagements.

The second, complementary effort will establish regional offices in five HHS regions that will expand and extend Patient-Centered Outcomes Research partnership activities at the regional, state and local levels. On-site regional staff will work to engage partners and influencers from across disciplines and relevant disease patient groups to champion adoption and use of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research findings.

"We are thrilled to be bringing our experience and expertise in effective communications to AHRQ to assist them in disseminating this life saving and life enhancing information," Mathias added.

About Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Ogilvy PR) is a global, multi-disciplinary communications leader operating in more than 70 markets. Named Large Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report and PRNews, Ogilvy PR blends proven PR methodologies with cutting edge digital innovations to craft strategic programs that give clients winning and measurable results. In its 30th year, Ogilvy PR provides strategic public relations counsel to a variety of clients across its social marketing, public affairs, healthcare, consumer marketing, 360-degree digital influence, corporate and technology practices. Ogilvy PR is part of the WPP plc, one of the world's largest communications services organizations (Nasdaq: WPPGY) (www.wpp.com). For more information, visit our Web site at www.ogilvypr.com.

SOURCE Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide