GlaxoSmithKline progresses multi-city discussion focused on improving the health of US communities

DENVER, Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline plc [LSE/NYSE: GSK] today proceeded with the next stop in its national initiative to examine the barriers and identify opportunities to build healthier communities in the United States. The program, "A Conversation on Community Health" – which kicked off in late 2012 with forums in Philadelphia and St. Louis – is taking place today in Denver as the third in a series of events The Atlantic is hosting in US cities to explore what it means, and what it takes, to be a healthy community.

GSK is underwriting the events to uncover innovative, community-based collaborations with health organizations, public officials, advocates and citizens that will guide a new approach to improving health at the local level. Insights gained through the series of local discussions will help shape the future strategic direction for GSK's community programs and local engagement in the US.

"At GSK, we realize that collaboration is a fundamental building block to ensuring patients have access to the opportunities and resources they need to live healthier lives and to ultimately achieving healthier communities and a healthier America," said Deirdre Connelly, President, North America Pharmaceuticals at GlaxoSmithKline. "We heard in Philadelphia and St. Louis that there is a need to engage communities in a more meaningful way to uncover new ideas to improving their health. With the existing strong commitment from health organizations, and both leaders and members of the community to come together to drive positive change, Denver is an model city – and Colorado is an ideal state – for pursuing new partnerships and innovative approaches to improving the overall health of the community." 

In Denver, The Atlantic will convene an expert working summit of some of the region's top minds in the fields of medicine, public health, academia, government, business and philanthropy to analyze the broader factors that influence health. The group will also share examples of approaches across the city and state that are effectively overcoming systemic barriers to better outcomes.

A town hall meeting immediately following the working summit will feature a keynote interview with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. A panel discussion will include prominent speakers, such as Dr. David Goff, Dean, Colorado School of Public Health; Dr. Patricia Gabow, Former CEO, Denver Health and Hospital Authority; and Landri Taylor, President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Denver.

"Denver has worked in an exceptional way to coordinate public safety net health care services that have enabled access to care and better outcomes for less money for the underserved in our community," said Dr. Patricia Gabow, Former CEO, Denver Health and Hospital Authority. "We now have the opportunity to apply our learnings to community programs for children and young adults, ensuring that we successfully meet the unique educational, health and social challenges of the next generation of Denver citizens who represent the hope and future of our city."

The town hall meeting, moderated by John Donvan, correspondent for ABC News, will challenge conventional thinking about what it means to be a healthy community and get participants to think more broadly about issues affecting their city and region. The meeting will feature innovative technology to integrate attendees into the on-stage conversation on community health to have a solutions-oriented conversation based on feedback from attendees representative of the broader Denver community.

Each group from the audience will use iPads powered by MtgWorks™, an app that allows for the rapid collection of responses and the real-time synthesis of key themes, which will then be explored by the guest panel in a large discussion.

Additional information about "A Conversation on Community Health," hosted by The Atlantic - The Denver town hall will be available via live stream from 10:45 am – 1 pm MT on Wednesday, February 6 at http://events.theatlantic.com. 

Over the course of the three city program, The Atlantic will be exploring the many facets of community health through an ongoing special report available at http://theatlantic.com/special-report/health-nation.

Join the conversation on Twitter @GSKUS or @Atlantic_Live, #HealthyCommunity.

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information go to us.gsk.com, follow us on twitter.com/GSKUS or visit our blog (www.morethanmedicine.us.gsk.com/blog/).

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect GSK' s operations are described under 'Risk Factors' in the 'Business Review' in the company' s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2011.

SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline