About the conference
Share best practice and successful initiatives to re-think the traditional approach and definition of chronic disease management.
The burden of chronic diseases make up more than 70% of Australia's overall disease burden due to death, disability and diminished quality of life. Evidence suggests that people who participate in chronic disease management programmes have a better quality of life, experience fewer complications and reduce their overall use of health care resources.
We have known this for decades, yet healthcare expenditure due to an epidemic rise in chronic illness is still overwhelming an already unstable and unsustainable healthcare system. Junk food culture, obesity and resistance to life-style change remain the biggest obstacle in effectively managing the growing burden of chronic disease.
So why are we still talking about Chronic Disease Management?
With the federal government taking the right steps towards creating awareness, co-ordinating and integrating healthcare delivery, the time has come to bring all stakeholders together to network, learn, and formulate real solutions.
The 2nd Annual Chronic Disease Management Australia conference will showcase programmes in action, explore policy reform and investigate new approaches to population health management, health promotion and disease prevention to move away from illness to wellness and re-educate the population that chronic disease can be prevented and self-managed.
What our speakers have to say
“...the opportunity to establish the vital link between the myriad of policies, strategies and programs which have emerged in the chronic disease management space. Only through collaboration, integration and alignment of our ideas, resources and efforts can great efficiencies be realised for the benefit of all Australians.”
Sean Lowry, Statewide Coordinator, CHIC Initiative
“This conference is timely for all those people who are concerned about the increasing pressure that chronic diseases are placing on people, communities and health systems. If we are serious about making a difference for people living with chronic illnesses, we need to take every opportunity to learn from others so that we can better understand how to improve things for all those people affected by these conditions.”
Clive Aspin, Research Director Serious & Continuing Illness Policy & Practice Study (SCIPPS), Menzies Centre for Health Policy
“Information is the key to effective chronic disease management. People of all ages can be empowered through appropriate knowledge and understanding to take responsibility and be pro-active in the management of their condition. We can explore information sources, for example education systems and the internet, that can complement the work of health professionals.”
Tony Healy, National Co-ordinator, Asthma Friendly Schools Programme
“...an opportunity to think outside the square and about the linkages between chronic diseases and the strategies for their management. The key issue facing all those committed to chronic disease management is how to translate the evidence into best practice”
Glenn Reese, National Executive Director, Alzheimers Australia
“We have the evidence, technology, medications, and expertise to achieve better health outcomes, but we need to close the huge gap between our knowledge and actual practice.”
Prof. James Tatoulis, Chief Medical Advisor, Heart Foundation
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Interactive panel sessions
“Research into self care, health technologies and disease management are rapidly developing areas in mental health.”
Prof. Helen Christensen, Director Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University
“Meeting the challenge of the chronic disease epidemic is the main issue for health care delivery across Australia. The challenges are even more pronounced in rural and remote areas, which has led to innovations in the health workforce. This conference will address many of the key aspects of dealing with chronic diseases at both the individual and population level.”
Dr. Christine Connors, Programme Director NT Preventable Chronic Disease Programme, Department of Health and Families (NT)
“...an excellent forum to really focus our thinking around Health and Chronic Disease Management providing us with a much greater knowledge that allows us to develop integrated programs and chronic disease management service coordination tools and enhance health sector integration at the local level”.
Deb Goldfinch, CEO, Melbourne General Practice Network
“By collating lessons and experiences from different countries, this conference will contribute to informed decision making on how to best deal with the crises of chronic diseases.”
Dr. Bert Vrijhoef, Associate Prof. Redesigning Health Care and Director Research & Development Integrated Care, University Hospital Maastricht (The Netherlands)
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