Novo Nordisk Supports National Hemophilia Foundation Initiative for "Collaborating in Care" Disease Management Program

NEW YORK and PLAINSBORO, N.J., Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk announced today its support of the National Hemophilia Foundation's (NHF) new three-year initiative, Collaborating in Care, which provides support to people with hemophilia and their families/caregivers to help address the physical and psychosocial challenges that can impede disease management. The curriculum for the program's first of six modules, Communication With Your Provider About Pain, focuses on improving conversations between patients and their comprehensive care teams about managing pain resulting from disease-related complications. It was presented today at the NHF's 66^th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

"While hemophilia treatment and care have seen tremendous advancements over the past few decades, more needs to be done, particularly around improving the conversations that are occurring between patients and their care team about complications and other difficulties associated with the disease," said Val Bias, Chief Executive Officer, National Hemophilia Foundation. "Through our grant support from Novo Nordisk, we have convened experts from across the country to develop the curriculum for Collaborating in Care, and this first module is just the start of what we hope will be a comprehensive and impactful offering."

Collaborating in Care was created to close gaps identified through Novo Nordisk's Hemophilia Experiences, Results, and Opportunities (HERO) initiative – the largest international exploration of the psychosocial impact of hemophilia on patients and their loved ones. The first module reflects learnings from the United States segment of the study, which underscored the need to improve recognition of the importance of pain and functional impairment in adults with hemophilia. According to the study, 71 percent of adults with hemophilia reported experiencing moderate or extreme pain or discomfort, while 92 percent reported pain interfered with their daily lives within the month prior to being surveyed.

"Collaborating in Care is one of many grants that we have been proud to sponsor for NHF, as we understand from HERO that the hemophilia community needs support that extends beyond factor treatment options, specifically programs designed to address some of the psychosocial challenges that people with hemophilia experience," said Eddie Williams, Senior Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk. "Through this latest educational grant support to NHF, we are continuing our efforts to change possibilities in hemophilia and work towards a future where all people living with hemophilia have the opportunity to lead the life they desire."

The curriculum includes six educational modules that will be rolled out over the next three years. Clinical experts and members of the hemophilia community are developing the content for these modules, and they will be presented to patients at local NHF chapter meetings across the country.

"Collaboration between patients and their health care providers on treatment decisions can help foster positive relationships," said Natalia Holot, Executive Director, Medical Affairs, BioPharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk. "Novo Nordisk is pleased to support the educational modules planned for Collaborating in Care over the next three years to help empower patients to address physical and psychosocial needs in crucial health care conversations."

For more information about Collaborating in Care and to request a presentation for an upcoming chapter event, visit www.hemophilia.org. For more information about Novo Nordisk's initiatives, visit www.changingpossibilities-us.com.

About National Hemophilia Foundation

The National Hemophilia Foundation is dedicated to finding better treatments and cures for inheritable bleeding disorders and to preventing the complications of these disorders through education, advocacy, and research. Established in 1948, the National Hemophilia Foundation has chapters throughout the country. Its programs and initiatives are made possible through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations as well as through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For more information, visit www.hemophilia.org or follow us on Twitter: @NHF_Hemophilia or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalHemophiliaFoundation.

About Novo Nordisk

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global health care company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy, and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit www.novonordisk-us.com or follow our news in the United States on Twitter: @novonordiskus.

© 2014 Novo Nordisk  All rights reserved.  0814-00022944-1  September 2014

SOURCE Novo Nordisk