Milwaukee Residents Learn More and Feel Better with New CDC Program

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a 6-month campaign called “Learn More. Feel Better.” to help Milwaukee residents manage chronic health conditions by using self-management education programs. Despite the mounting research showing these programs reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, participation in them remains low, in part because people simply do not know they exist.

“As of 2012, about half of all adults, or 117 million people, had one or more chronic health conditions^[1].” “That’s 117 million people trying to manage an ongoing health condition, who may not be aware that they can take steps, like self-management education, to help themselves feel better” said Teresa J. Brady, senior behavioral scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Self-management education simply refers to programs that help people who have ongoing health conditions learn how to manage their condition and live life to the fullest.”

About "Learn More. Feel Better."

The campaign website, www.cdc.gov/LearnMoreFeelBetter, has information about self-management education programs available in the Milwaukee area for many chronic conditions, including epilepsy. Participants in these programs walk away with the skills and the confidence to help them manage fatigue and stress, cope with symptoms, and adopt healthy lifestyle choices like healthy eating and exercise. Participants in self-management education programs are generally very enthusiastic about their benefits.

“Self-management is a cornerstone of many of the programs and services we offer at the Epilepsy Foundation,” said Steve Owens MD, MPH, MA, vice president of programs and services. “From our involvement with the Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network, to the local programs and training offered by our network of local Foundations, to the digital tools we provide on epilepsy.com, we are committed to giving people living with epilepsy the tools they need to thrive. We’re excited to see how the “Learn More. Feel Better.” Campaign moves the needle and improves lives for people living with epilepsy and other chronic health conditions.”

Reference

[1] Ward BW, Schiller JS, Goodman RA. Multiple chronic conditions among US adults: a 2012 update. Prev Chronic Dis. 2014;11:130389. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.130389.