For Release: January 15, 2013 - Pamela Williams, Office of Communications - 405/271-5601 Get Updates:

Living Longer, Living Stronger with Chronic Conditions

A special presentation demonstrating how community-based education programs can assist persons with chronic health conditions, “Chronic Disease Self Management – Who Benefits,” will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Metro Technology Center, 1900 Springlake Dr. in Oklahoma City. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Guest speaker will be Kate Lorig, RN, DrPH, Professor Emeriti at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Director of the Stanford Patient Education Research Center from Stanford University.

Lorig will discuss how Oklahoma’s “Living Longer Living Stronger” program can help persons with hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, lung disease and diabetes improve their health and quality of life and lower their medical expenses. The presentation will cover the program’s overall effectiveness and its impact on racial and ethnic minorities, people with mental health concerns, and those with low literacy levels. The six-week program is offered in communities statewide through senior centers, faith-based organizations, health facilities, recreational facilities, schools and correctional facilities.

A recent participant, Maxine, said, “I was recently in one of your Living Longer Living Stronger Workshops in Muskogee and wanted to let you know how it has changed my life. As a 67-year-old widow with severe arthritis and a bad heart, I don’t feel like getting out much anymore. But since I took the workshop, I am back in church and attending the senior lunches three times a week and walking more than I have in years. Thanks guys, you have made a real difference in my life.”

Another Muskogee participant said, “The one thing that has impressed me the most is the value that is placed on physical activity in responding to most physical, mental or emotional problems. This, I suppose, impresses me most because it seems so simple. Another benefit that impressed me was the value of communication and the sharing of experiences. These are both easy to do. ”

Ande from Oklahoma City said, “I learned new strategies for keeping depression and pain at bay, ways to relax my mind and body, and eye-opening ideas for exercise that I could do. The class helps you live life, not just endure it.”

To reserve a spot for the presentation, which will be available for viewing by videoconference at a variety of venues throughout the state, contact Karla Brown at (405) 271-9444, ext. 56543, or email: karlab@health.ok.gov. 

Available locations:

• Pontotoc Technology Center, 601 W. 33^rd St., Ada
• Northeast Technology Center, Afton Campus, 19901 S. Hwy. 69, Afton
• Southern Oklahoma Technology Center, 2610 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore
• Tri-County Technology Center, Bartlesville Campus, 6101 Nowata Rd., Bartlesville
• Western Technology Center, 621 Sooner Dr., Burns Flat
• Northeast Technology Center, Claremore Campus, 1901 N. Hwy 88,  Claremore
• Kiamichi Technology Center,  Durant Campus, 810 Waldron Road, Durant
• Canadian Valley Technology Center,  6505 E. Hwy 66, El Reno
• Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, 1415 North 7th St., Fort Cobb
• Great Plains Technology Center,  2001 East Gladstone, Frederick
• Kiamichi Technology Center, 3205 Lincoln Rd NE, Idabel
• Northeast Technology Center, Kansas Campus, 450 N. Hwy 59,  Kansas
• Great Plains Technology Center,  4500 SW Lee Blvd, Lawton
• Kiamichi Technology Center,  301 Kiamichi Drive, McAlester
• Mid-Del Technology Center, 1621 Maple Drive, Midwest City
• Moore Norman Technology Center, 4701 12^th Avenue NW, Norman
• Metro Technology Centers, 1900 Springlake Drive, OKC
• Chisholm Trial Technology Center, 283 State Hwy 33, Omega
• Kiamichi Technology Centers, 1509 S. McKenna, Poteau
• Pioneer Technology Center, 2101 N. Ash St., Ponca City
• Central TC-Sapulpa, 1720 S. Main St, Sapulpa
• Western Technology Center, 2002 NE Hwy. 66, Sayre
• Meridian Technology Center, 1312 South Sangre Road, Stillwater
• Mid America Technology Center, 27438 Highway 59, PO Box H, Wayne
• Weatherford Technology Center,  Weatherford, 2605 E. Main, Weatherford
• Wes Watkins Technology Center, 7892 Highway 9, Wetumka
• High Plains Technology Center,  3921 34^th St., Woodward

The program is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Aging Services Division, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma Career Technology Centers, and the Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health equity in public health literature and practice as the opportunity for everyone to attain their full health potential. No one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of their social position or other socially determined circumstance. CDC further defines social determinants of health as life-enhancing resources, such as food supply, housing, economic and social relationships, transportation, education, and health care, whose distribution across populations effectively determines length and quality of life.

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