SCOPE & PURPOSE

There are at least three reasons why the Scientific Committee has decided to choose chronic diseases as the main topic of the 14th International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals (HPH): Firstly, because epidemiological data clearly show the need for action in this field, which is on the agenda of main European and international players. Secondly, because HPH can play a significant role in tackling this problem, since chronic diseases are – apart from genetic predispositions – strongly influenced by personal behaviour, physical and social environments. Thus, the settings approach of health promotion as well as the concept of empowering education and training can specifically contribute to prevention, but also to improving the quality of health care provision and the quality of life for those who are affected. Finally, the host country Lithuania has a strong tradition of cooperation in international projects of WHO in the field.

The need for action on chronic diseases

Following WHO data, 400 million people worldwide will die from chronic diseases over the next 10 years. In the WHO European region, 86% of deaths are due to chronic diseases, the most important diagnoses being cardio-vascular diseases (responsible for ~50% of deaths in the region), cancer (responsible for ~20% of deaths in Europe), respiratory disorders, digestive disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. Still, following recent OECD data, there is a considerable mismatch between resources which are spent on curative services, and those which are spent on prevention.

Against this background, the conference will look not only at the generally growing importance of chronic diseases, but also into differences in epidemiology between new and old EU member states, into new epidemiological trends, and on the impact of chronic diseases on the quality of life and the development of QUALYs and DALYs.

Integrating treatment, care, prevention and health promotion for chronic diseases within hospital services in order to achieve an optimum outcome

How can hospitals organise their services in order to improve the health outcomes for patients at risk or suffering from chronic diseases? Especially for chronic patients who stay more often and longer in hospital than acute patients, the quality of the physical hospital setting (e.g. patient safety, hotel services), and the quality of general patient orientation and communication have an important impact on their health. But a hospital stay also represents a window of opportunity to train patients for better self management of disease like coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, COPD, cancer, and for interventions towards healthy lifestyles.

The conference will discuss how prevention, treatment and care can be developed and combined, using principles of health promotion, so as to achieve an optimum health outcome for patients suffering from chronic diseases.

Integrating health care interventions on chronic diseases across levels of services

Patients with chronic conditions often fluctuate between different providers of health and social services, which can result in considerable discomfort for them but also in a reduction of effectiveness and efficiency of services. Cooperation between the hospital and other services is therefore vital for achieving an optimum health gain. The conference will discuss how models of integrated care, including palliative care, managed care and disease management approaches can be developed using HP principles.

Another topic will be how hospitals can contribute to improving patients' literacy for adequate use of the health care system, and how patients as experts for their health care needs can be involved in the designing and planning of adequate services.

Integrating action on wider determinants of chronic diseases across settings

Chronic diseases are influenced by numerous determinants. Action on these determinants needs to involve many players across settings, including health care systems, families, schools, workplaces, etc. The conference will discuss especially those effective interventions where hospitals can play an active role hospitals in cooperating with other sectors in tackling health determinants.

	PROGRAM ELEMENTS

Conference topics will be presented and discussed in keynote lectures and panels, paper and poster sessions, and conference workshops.

	TARGET GROUPS OF THE CONFERENCE

The conference provides a forum for exchange and further development of knowledge and experiences for the following target groups:

•••• Health care professionals from the medical, nursing and therapeutic fields
•••• Hospital and health care managers
•••• Representatives from patient organisations and other NGOs
•••• Representatives from health policy and health administration
•••• Public health actors and experts
•••• Health and health promotion scientists and practitioners
•••• Health care consultants

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