New Study Shows Ohioans Needlessly Suffer Because They Are Not Properly Caring for Chronic Conditions

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A new study released today shows that Ohioans may be needlessly suffering and even dying from chronic diseases. This situation occurs in part because patients are not seeking the care they need or are not filling prescriptions for medicines recommended by their healthcare providers to prevent the progression of disease.

The study is the first to focus specifically on the treatment of Ohioans for a variety of diseases - including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, asthma, depression, migraine, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The study of health claims data for more than 400,000 Ohioans was commissioned by GlaxoSmithKline .

According to the study, many patients in Ohio are not applying the basic tenets of preventive care, negatively impacting overall health and quality of life, and subsequently raising costs for patients, hospitals, employers and state taxpayers.

"This study proves that too many Ohioans are suffering and paying more for care because they're not treating serious conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma," said Tony Bernard, President of the Ohio Health Advocacy Network (OHAN). "Patients who are informed about their conditions, and who communicate with their doctors, are better prepared to mitigate threats to health and costs for care. By focusing on prevention rather than intervention, and actively involving physicians to get disease under control, Ohioans can improve their lives and the lives of their families."

The research revealed that many patients are not following up on critical treatment recommendations - inaction that can end with severe consequences. For example, only six of 10 diabetic Ohioans studied were found to be taking medications as prescribed for their condition. As a result of poor diabetes control, Ohio ranks seventh in the number of deaths due to diabetes. Patients in Ohio are more likely to die from the disease than the average American.

In addition, the corporal damage sustained when patients are not fully informed about their conditions and the importance of following doctors' orders further compound costs. Again, in the case of diabetic Ohioans, those who do not receive treatment in accordance with approved guidelines can incur per patient costs up to five times as much as patients who do.

Health experts who reviewed the research findings said that improvement can be achieved if several simple but important actions are taken by patients, health plans, employers and policymakers.

Patients should work with their doctor to follow appropriate diet, exercise and behavioral change programs to prevent the onset of disease, particularly if chronic diseases run in the family.

If diagnosed, patients should take their medicines as prescribed and tap into their healthcare provider, asking questions about their medicines and overall treatment. While taking medications as prescribed is an important part of keeping a condition under control, patients sometimes do not realize that

if they stop taking a medication, they may be putting themselves at risk for greater health problems.

Employers should look for health plans with models that seek to improve health outcomes by improving adherence to treatment guidelines, and include disease management programs as part of their coverage. Health plans should consider offering disease management programs and tools to help healthcare providers guide patients to improved adherence levels. Ohio policymakers should consider policies that remove financial barriers to filling prescriptions, such as low or no co-pays.

"Avoidable hospitalizations and complications stemming from chronic disease cost the state of Ohio, its patients and taxpayers more than $700 million annually, simply because Ohioans are not properly treating their conditions," said Avi Dor, a Case Western Reserve University health economist who reviewed the study findings. "This study shows that Ohio businesses could save $388 million by taking just a few small steps to ensure that their employees are getting the care they need, leading to a healthier and more productive workforce."

Throughout the month of March - recently designated "Improving Health for Ohioans Month" by Governor Bob Taft - GSK will reach out to patient advocates, and groups that represent physicians and pharmacists within Ohio, to share the study's findings.

GSK is also working with other stakeholders within Ohio's healthcare system - including employers, patient advocates, opinion leaders and policymakers - and supporting quality initiatives and measures. GSK will also provide employers and health plans based in Ohio with online tools to educate employees about the importance of preventive care and maintaining good health.

"The only way to ensure that Ohioans take better care of themselves is to take a collaborative approach," said Mike Pucci, vice president of external advocacy for GSK. "Patients must understand why following their doctors' recommendations is crucial to their health, and barriers to adherence must be removed. Healthcare providers must be certain that appropriate treatment is available, accessible and rewarded."

"In order to secure a successful outcome in the battle against disease and unnecessary suffering, we must continue to nourish the development of patient care," Pucci concluded. "The future must support aggressive education and innovation so that America's healthcare providers can understand and stave off diseases, especially those which have not yet surfaced."

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.