Leading Health Researchers to Share Knowledge

Wednesday 21 May 2008

Leading Health Researchers to Share Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge with Southland Health Professionals

Two leading health researchers will provide insight around tackling what the World Health Organisation calls the "health care challenge of this century," at Saturday's Winton-based diabetes and cardiovascular disease seminar for health professionals.

The health seminar is being hosted by Southland District Health Board (SDHB), bringing together health professionals across the Southland region for a professional development opportunity.

Speakers include esteemed researchers Professor Robert Walker and Associate Professor Gerard Wilkins from the Dunedin School of Medicine.The seminar will also host Stewart Eadie, the National Heart Foundation's Cardiac Care Manager and locally based health professionals - Kirsten Buks and Margaret Waterman (Dietitians) and Julie Cuthill and Margaret Brown (Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse Specialists) .

Joanne Morton, SDHB's Chronic Disease Health Analyst, said that diabetes and cardiovascular disease remain a priority area for SDHB, as two of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst the population.

"Chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease now account for up to 80% of all deaths in NZ and are the leading cause in hospitalisations, with an estimated 70% of health care funds spent on chronic disease management," Mrs Morton said.

As the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated, "chronic conditions will not go away; they are the health care challenge of this century".

"Seminars such as the one being hosted this weekend are about ensuring we continue to build knowledge locally around latest research and successful intervention programmes to help us tackle these health issues locally."

The seminar is primarily aimed at health professionals in the primary health care sector who are working in the areas of diabetes and cardiac disease, but is also open to other health professionals with an interest in this area.

ENDS

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