Contact:
Jean Maza of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
972-701-2105
jmaza@komen.org
or Jennifer Long of The Lance Armstrong Foundation
512-279-8391
jennifer.long@laf.org;
or Alissa Havens of The American
Cancer Society
202-661-5772
alissa.havens@cancer.org;
or Aaron Gilson
PhD of The University of Wisconsin’s Pain and Policy Studies Group
608-263-8448
amgilson@wisc.edu
Eight U.S. States Improve their Pain Policies in the Past Year Alone
MADISON, Wis., July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In the second year of their joint program to promote better pain control, the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure today released the 2007 Pain and Policy Report Card and Evaluation Guide of state- level pain management policies across the country.
The organizations, which represent the nation’s leading information and advocacy groups for people with cancer, are funding a three-year grant to the Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG) at the University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center to examine policies that govern pain management practices for cancer patients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The 2007 report card shows that California and Wisconsin had the greatest grade improvement. Other states whose grades improved from last year were Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
In addition, Kansas and Wisconsin now join Michigan and Virginia as having the most balanced pain policies in the nation.
“These states have laws that are consistent with current medical practice standards and do not impede pain treatment,” said Aaron M. Gilson, PhD, director for U.S. Policy Research at the PPSG. “Also, the licensing agencies in these states encourage healthcare professionals to practice good pain management by making pain relief an expectation of quality patient care and reassure practitioners that treating patients’ pain will not result in disciplinary sanctions.”
Chronic pain is a part of daily life for more than 50 percent of all cancer patients and survivors and for more than 75 percent of those with advanced stages of the disease — figures that have remained unchanged for decades, despite advances in therapeutic options to address pain.
With support from the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, PPSG issued a report card last September and will issue another report card in 2008. For more information on the University of Wisconsin’s PPSG, visit http://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/.
About the Pain & Policy Studies Group
The University of Wisconsin’s Pain and Policy Studies Group (PPSG) is headed by David E. Joranson, MSSW, and Aaron M. Gilson, PhD, internationally known experts on pain control policy who implemented a first-of-its-kind study in 2003 comparing pain policies throughout the country. The results of that study, reported in Achieving Balance in State Pain Policy: A Progress Report Card, showed that more than half of all states had policies that encouraged pain management, addressed physicians’ fears of regulatory scrutiny and drew distinctions between physical dependence or tolerance and addiction.
But the report also showed that much more progress can be made. A total of 38 states received a grade of C or worse, demonstrating inadequacies in their pain management policies. Many states reacted to the 2003 report by amending their policies to be more balanced. PPSG has collaborated with health care professionals, non-governmental organizations and government officials to help adopt policies that promote the appropriate use of pain medications. The grant announced today is intended to identify where progress is needed to encourage positive momentum for pain relief and palliative care.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across America. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit http://www.cancer.org/.
