Novant Health declares war on preventable killers

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Jan. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Novant Health announced it is declaring war on high blood pressure, prediabetes and obesity as part of a multi-year, system-wide community health initiative designed to create an epidemic of health and wellness. The statistics are alarming. One out of every three Americans age 20 and older has prediabetes. Additionally, one in three has hypertension and more than one-third of U.S. adults are considered obese. Serious health implications can include organ and nerve damage, loss of limbs and blindness. These three health conditions combined account for approximately $266 billion in annual U.S. medical costs and contribute to hundreds of thousands of deaths per year.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130226/CL66825LOGO )

While proper detection and management can reverse these consequences, an overwhelming majority of adults with prediabetes and high blood pressure are unaware of their conditions. "Every day we see the impact these significant but often preventable killers have on families," said Carl S. Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health. "Prediabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are leading factors in two of the biggest killers in America: heart disease and stroke. By focusing on intensive screening and appropriate education efforts in our communities, we can encourage a new kind of epidemic: health and wellness."

"A large percentage of consumers seek education and prevention options related to cancer, high cholesterol, or even back and joint pain," said Ophelia Garmon-Brown, MD, family physician and senior vice president with Novant Health. "Yet, how many ask their doctor to rule out prediabetes, regularly check their blood pressure or take real action when their weight creeps up to obese levels?  The answer is very few. Our message is simple but powerful: Small changes can really make a big difference."

A recent landmark study supports this claim. The prestigious medical journal The Lancet reported that people at risk for diabetes can lower their risk of heart disease nearly 10 percent by walking just one mile per day.

Novant Health plans to screen 500,000 people in inpatient, outpatient and community settings to personally evaluate their risk factors and anticipates providing over 25,000 A1C blood tests and other screenings for those determined to be at risk for developing diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Later this month, Novant Health will conduct the system's first-ever system-wide screenings:

January 20, 2014

Thomasville, NC 
Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center
207 Old Lexington Rd.
Thomasville, NC
9 a.m. to noon

January 24, 2014

Matthews, NC
Levine Senior Center
1050 Devore Lane
Matthews, NC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Huntersville, NC
Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics 
11725 Verhoeff Dr.
Huntersville, NC 
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Salisbury, NC
YMCA – Jake Alexander Blvd.
828 Jake Alexander Blvd.
Salisbury, NC 
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kernersville, NC 
Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center library
1750 Kernersville Medical Blvd. 
Kernersville, NC
8 a.m. to noon

Winston-Salem
Hanes Mall
3320 Silas Creek Pkwy.
Winston-Salem, NC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Clemmons, NC
Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center
6915 Village Medical Cir. 
Clemmons, NC
4 to 7 p.m.

Gaffney, SC
YMCA
390 Whelchel Rd.
Gaffney, SC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Louisburg, NC (Franklin)
Louisburg College
501 N. Main St.
Louisburg, NC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Supply, NC (Brunswick)
Brunswick Community College
50 College Rd.
Supply, NC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

January 25, 2014

Manassas (Prince William)
Manassas Mall
8300 Sudley Rd.
Manassas, VA
1 to 4 p.m.

For more information on the community health initiative, visit www.novanthealth.org/wellness.

About Novant Health

Novant Health is a four-state integrated network of physician practices, outpatient centers and hospitals that deliver a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to our communities. The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,100 physicians and 24,000 employees who make healthcare remarkable at more than 450 locations including 14 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., Novant Health is committed to making healthcare remarkable for our patients and our communities serving more than 4 million patients annually. In 2012, Novant Health provided more than $545 million in community benefit including charity care and services. Novant Health is one of the top 25 integrated health systems in the United States and was named a top 50 Best Places for Diverse & Women Managers to Work by Diversity MBA Magazine.

For more information, please visit our website at NovantHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

SOURCE Novant Health