Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107968

Christopher Maylahn, MPH, New York State Dept of Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Adult Health, Room 511 - Empire State Plaza, Tower Bldg, Albany, NY 12237, 518-474-0512, cmm05@health.state.ny.us and Dorothy Gohdes, MD, Diabetes Control Program, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Cogswell Building, C-317, PO Box 202951, Helena, MT 59620.

As the U.S. population ages, severe vision impairment and blindness from age-related eye diseases will double in the coming 3 decades. These include diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. To develop recommendations for state public health priorities and potential actions addressing vision conservation, CDC, the Chronic Disease Directors, and Prevent Blindness American assessed current activities among state health departments and their partners in 7 states, as well as perceived future priorities. A high level of interest was noted. Actions were described in each of the following areas as practical, legitimate public health activities: 1) Collect, analyze, and report state- and/or community-specific data on age-related eye disease prevalence; 2) Conduct or facilitate public awareness campaigns on age-related eye disease; 3) Convene the various vision partners, including public, private and voluntary organizations, to coordinate services among eye care providers and low vision/rehabilitation services and to develop specific priorities based on the Healthy Vision 2010 objectives; 4) Facilitate professional education interventions on the standards for vision screening, treatment, and rehabilitation; 5) Understand and eliminate disparities; and 5) Assist in evaluating new techniques such as telemedicine and translating significant clinical trials into community practice. From this assessment, the first steps to a national vision conservation initiative should include a state-by-state assessment of activities addressing visual impairments, data collection about eye conditions and vision using the BRFSS, and a more active role by state health departments in convening interested parties and coordinating activities within their state.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the impact of age-related eye diseases.
• Identify public health strategies that can be carried out at the state and/or local level including partners likely to be interested in collaboration.

Keywords: Aging, Vision Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation