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Johnson & Johnson Launches Global Diabetes Institute, Beijing Diabetes Institute Will Launch Early Next Year

2007-10-18 08:44 727

Providing State-of-the-Art Education and Training to Health Professionals

BEIJING, Oct. 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson today announced the establishment of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute (JJDI) to transform diabetes care by providing comprehensive training on the latest practice standards, new diabetes tools and technologies and reimbursement solutions to physicians, nurses, physician assistants and diabetes educators around the globe. Former Acting U.S. Surgeon General and public health expert, Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., will serve as the Institute’s chairman.

The Institute is part of a new effort to address the growing epidemic of diabetes, which now affects more than 180 million people worldwide and is predicted to double to 360 million people by 2030. Toward this end, Johnson & Johnson affiliates will invest the necessary resources to open and operate new state-of-the-art instructional facilities worldwide, starting with Japan in 2007 and the U.S, China and France by mid-2008.

"In sheer numbers and the costs in human suffering and money spent on health care, diabetes has reached crisis proportions around the globe," said Dr. Moritsugu, who has type I diabetes and is an advocate for improved diabetes care. "At a time when the annual direct healthcare costs for diabetes worldwide are estimated to be at least $232 billion, new strategies are needed to raise the level of care for people with diabetes, including stepped-up education and hands-on training of health professionals working at the local level."

Don Casey, Johnson & Johnson company group chairman, said the Institute is a response from the Company to this challenge. "Through this Institute, Johnson & Johnson is determined to arm those on the front lines in delivering diabetes care with the latest information and practical skills so they can help their patients live healthier, longer lives," Casey noted.

Developed in consultation with leaders of international diabetes organizations and public health institutions including the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the Association de Langue Francaise pour L’Etude du Diabete et des Maladies Metaboliques, the Japan Diabetes Society, the Japan Diabetes Education and Care Association, and leading endocrinologists and authorities from China, the new Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute will provide training each year for thousands of physicians, nurses, and other health providers worldwide. In each country, the curriculum will be customized to reflect the needs of patients and providers and entails several days of country-specific skills training and education in diabetes care from a faculty of nationally recognized diabetes experts.

In general, courses will emphasize innovative practice models and ways to use existing diabetes tools and technologies in real time to solve patient problems. While the curriculum will vary by country, course examples include guidelines and standards of care, in-person product training, insulin pump therapy, communicating with patients and families, new tools and technologies, blood glucose pattern management and software solutions and reimbursement for diabetes care.

"With diabetes reaching epidemic proportions in the United States and in the rest of the world, there is a critical need for diabetes educators and other health care professionals to provide education and care to people with and at risk for diabetes. However, the level of knowledge required to maintain job skills at peak intensity is growing and becoming progressively more complex. Changes in healthcare delivery require diabetes educators to acquire a host of new skills and become familiar with latest diabetes tools and technologies," said Lana Vukovljak, MA, MS, CEO of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). "The American Association of Diabetes Educators supports J & J’s Diabetes Institute initiative as it will provide diabetes educators and other health care professionals with the opportunity to stay current and be better prepared to help fight the epidemic."

Dr. Moritsugu joined the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies on October 1 and will serve as Chairman of the Institute, with responsibility for overseeing the Institute and developing other innovative programs and strategies that will help Johnson & Johnson and the healthcare community better address the delivery of diabetes care around the world. Born in Hawaii, Dr. Moritsugu achieved Admiralty status within the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, was the Federal representative to numerous national health care agencies and consulted with several international organizations and governments. Before serving as Acting Surgeon General in 2006, Dr. Moritsugu was the Deputy Surgeon General and the principal assistant and advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General. Having completed residencies in internal medicine and in preventive medicine, Dr. Moritsugu is also Board Certified in preventive medicine and holds Fellowships in the American College of Preventive Medicine, the Royal Society of Health, and the Royal Society of Medicine.

About Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products, as well as a provider of related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets. The more than 200 Johnson & Johnson operating companies employ approximately 122,000 men and women, and sell products throughout the world. Johnson & Johnson established its first joint venture in China in 1985. Today, the Company, through its subsidiaries operating in China, employs about 6,000 people

Through the company’s products, education programs, philanthropy and many other initiatives, Johnson & Johnson helps people help others in the spirit of Yin Ai Er Sheng. It is under the same commitment, Johnson & Johnson became official partner of the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games in July 2005 and worldwide partner of the Olympic Movement in February 2006.

Source: Johnson & Johnson
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