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New Campaign Launched to Raise Awareness about Chronic Disease
The campaign is called “New Mexico Health Starts Here”, and features a video that highlights the story of Wesley Pulkka, who has fought cancer and heart disease, is prediabetic, has struggled with weight control, and was a smoker. At age 73, Pulkka has had to learn how to manage multiple chronic diseases to care for his health, including his participation in the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
Pulkka’s story is similar to the stories of many other New Mexicans contending with multiple chronic diseases. More than one in four adults in New Mexico over the age of 45 has been diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions due to shared risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating.
In the video, Pulkka describes his decision to put his health first, and to manage his multiple chronic diseases in hopes for a promising future.
“You hit the wall, what are you going to do about it?” he says. “Your life came within seconds of ending and what do you do from here? It was a decision point.”
Pulkka joined this project to bring awareness about skills and resources for living well with multiple chronic diseases to others like him, and to the community that supports them at the personal and professional level. His story puts a face on this daunting issue. The goal of the campaign is to help connect New Mexicans with important health resources they may need.
“The new website is a resource for New Mexicans where they can find, all in one spot, information about tobacco cessation services, the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and the Chronic Disease Self Management Program,” said CDPC Executive Director Laurel McCloskey. “The New Mexico Health Starts Here campaign reminds us that we are all involved in our healthcare and wellness. It aims to encourage action, whether individual or organizational, through engagement and accountability to strive to live in wellness and make the right choices around our collective health. These choices involve our community, our friends and/or family, our care providers, and the various programs and resources available to us to combat multiple chronic diseases.”
The campaign will include distribution of the video through healthcare facilities and care providers across the state. It is the first step in the campaign’s state-wide messaging, which will include community engagement, online/interactive content, a campaign-specific website, social media, and community events.
For more information you can contact Laurel McCloskey at 505-463-5300, or visit the Chronic Disease Prevention Council website to access chronic disease prevention resources.
About the Council
Formed in 1997, the Chronic Disease Prevention Council (CDPC) is a multidisciplinary body of experts seeking to reduce chronic disease in New Mexico.
CDPC is open to professionals, organizations, and community members with an interest in chronic disease and a commitment to the purpose and mission of the CDPC. The Council brings together key members of the public health community in the state in partnership over common goals related to preventing and treating chronic diseases. Through this partnership, scarce resources can be more efficiently used to address chronic disease prevention and control issues. Furthermore, the Council enables effective collaboration to better influence policies related to chronic disease and support public health programs. The Council creates a forum for collaboration and communication to break down disease specific silos and focus on prevention and control issues for chronic diseases.
CDPC is responsible for the facilitation of the New Mexico Shared Strategic Plan (NMSSP) created by a statewide leadership team in 2010. The NMSSP combines state-level chronic disease specific plans, identifying common risk factors, promoting multi-level prevention and management strategies, and aiming to improve health at both the individual and community level. CDPC and the application of the NMSSP will result in a more coordinated, concerted effort that taps into the skills, talents, and experience of a diversity of organizations.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact Laurel McCloskey at 505-463-5300 (Office) with your questions.
Versión en Español
En un esfuerzo para hacer que nuestros comunicados de prensa sean más accesibles, también tenemos disponibles una versión en español. Por favor presione el enlace de abajo para acceder a la traducción.
Nueva Campaña Lanzada para Aumentar la Conciencia Acerca de las Enfermedades Crónica