E-Action™ designed for the 300,000 living with the neurological disorder1
OAKVILLE, ON, March 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadians with epilepsy, as well as their family, friends and caregivers, now have an exciting new information source and support network. E-Action™ - Taking Action Against Epilepsy strives to provide a caring and informative environment for those touched by the disorder.
E-Action™ includes a broad range of interactive education and information resources, including a magazine, a website, a mobile application (App), and a leader program that features 10 inspirational Canadians living well with epilepsy.
"Epilepsy associations across the country have been working tirelessly to help people with epilepsy live the best quality of life possible. E-Action™ is a fantastic resource to help us do just that," said Gail Dempsey, President, Canadian Epilepsy Alliance (CEA).
"The program will go a long way in raising the profile of epilepsy, and ensuring that those living with the disorder can connect with the medical community, local epilepsy agencies, and their wider communities to obtain the best care and treatment available."
E-Action™ is an initiative of UCB Canada Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of people with epilepsy, one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting approximately 1% of Canadians.1
Despite the wide reach of this debilitating condition, there is a lack of awareness and knowledge about epilepsy, leading to social isolation, work barriers and relationship issues.
Awareness needs in Canada
In a survey released in 20112, just over half of the respondents said their independence is restricted, and 56% mentioned it as their number one challenge. Stigma, discrimination and the lack of awareness about epilepsy among Canadians was mentioned as the number two challenge faced by 38% of respondents, along with the impact of the disorder on their social life.
E-Action™ tools and programming are designed to help those with epilepsy understand and take more control of their condition and educate others.
"The general public and those living with epilepsy, and their caregivers, need a better understanding of epilepsy and its impact to optimize care and treatment, and ultimately reduce isolation and stigma. The E-Action App and all of the resources will go a long way to addressing these challenges," says Dr. Draga Jichici, a neurologist in Guelph, Ontario, who helped develop the E-Action™ Info App.
My Epilepsy Diary
The App also links to My Epilepsy Diary Canada, which enables users to track their seizures, medicines, progress and overall well-being on their smartphone, tablet or computer. Users can then share this timely and relevant real word information with their doctors so they can optimize their epilepsy care. Users can also track and manage their therapies with reminders to be sent by text, email or local smart phone notification.
My Epilepsy Diary is available on all popular models of smartphones and tablets, and data is stored securely online. Patients know their records will be kept even if they switch phones or replace a lost phone, while their authorized physicians can access patient-reported outcomes immediately.
"It's a very positive step to have a tool that can help users recognize, understand and track seizures, as well as monitor medication side effects. This can provide health professionals with the information they need to find the right approach for each patient," said Dr. Jichici.
E-Action Info App creative design and content development services are provided by CPC Healthcare Communications. Powered by Logicopolis.
My Epilepsy Diary Canada is made available by the Epilepsy Therapy Project (www.epilepsy.com) through an unrestricted educational grant from UCB Pharma SA.
About the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance
The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance (CEA) is a Canada-wide network of grassroots organizations dedicated to the promotion of independence and quality of life for people with epilepsy and their families, through support services, information, advocacy, and public awareness. For more information, please visit www.epilepsymatters.com
About UCB Canada Inc.
Inspired by patients and driven by science, UCB Canada Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. For more information, please consult www.ucb.com/worldwide/canada.
About CPC Healthcare Communications
CPC Healthcare Communications is a Toronto-based healthcare creative agency with multichannel capabilities. CPC helps its clients' brands reach their full potential through combining strategic insight, creative vision and an optimal mix of online and offline media. For more information visit www.cpchealthcare.com
About Logicopolis
Logicopolis offers mobile app design & development, including optimized solutions for platforms that include iPhone, iPad & Android. For more information visit www.logicopolis.com.
References
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1 José F. Tellez-Zenteno, Margarita Pondal-Sordo, Suzan Matijevic, Samuel Wiebe (2004), National and Regional Prevalence of Self-reported Epilepsy in Canada, Epilepsia 45 (12), 1623-1629.
2 Impact of Epilepsy on Canadians Summary Report. Page 6. Research conducted by Leger Marketing between August 9 - October 14, 2011. Page 6.
Video with caption: "Video: Jessica is providing inspiration, education and information about epilepsy to her community through E-Action™: Taking Action Against Epilepsy, a new resource program launched today for people living with epilepsy, their families, and all Canadians.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130326_C8222_VIDEO_EN_24802.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130326_C8222_PHOTO_EN_24802.jpg&clientName=UCB%20Canada%20Inc%2E&caption=Video%3A%20Jessica%20is%20providing%20inspiration%2C%20education%20and%20information%20about%20epilepsy%20to%20her%20community%20through%20E%2DAction%26%238482%3B%3A%20Taking%20Action%20Against%20Epilepsy%2C%20a%20new%20resource%20program%20launched%20today%20for%20people%20living%20with%20epilepsy%2C%20their%20families%2C%20and%20all%20Canadians%2E&title=UCB%20CANADA%20INC%2E%20%2D%20New%20resource%20promises%20information%2C%20education%20and%20inspiration%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20epilepsy%20in%20Canada&headline=New%20resource%20promises%20information%2C%20education%20and%20inspiration%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20epilepsy%20in%20Canada
Video with caption: "Video: E-Action™ Info, an App for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch is designed to educate people living with epilepsy and all Canadians, is now available from the App Store.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130326_C8222_VIDEO_EN_24803.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130326_C8222_PHOTO_EN_24803.jpg&clientName=UCB%20Canada%20Inc%2E&caption=Video%3A%20E%2DAction%26%238482%3B%20Info%2C%20an%20App%20for%20iPhones%2C%20iPads%20and%20iPod%20Touch%20is%20designed%20to%20educate%20people%20living%20with%20epilepsy%20and%20all%20Canadians%2C%20is%20now%20available%20from%20the%20App%20Store%2E&title=UCB%20CANADA%20INC%2E%20%2D%20New%20resource%20promises%20information%2C%20education%20and%20inspiration%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20epilepsy%20in%20Canada&headline=New%20resource%20promises%20information%2C%20education%20and%20inspiration%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20epilepsy%20in%20Canada
Image with caption: "E-Action™ Info, an App for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch is designed to educate people living with epilepsy and all Canadians, is now available from the App Store. (CNW Group/UCB Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130326_C8222_PHOTO_EN_24800.jpg
SOURCE: UCB Canada Inc.
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