Clinical Centers of Excellence: Cardiometabolic Disorders & Weight

More than two-thirds of U.S. adults and one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. This epidemic has given rise to unprecedented numbers of Americans suffering from dyslipidemias, hypertension, and impaired glucose functioning-and an estimated 47 million people have three or more of these interrelated cardiometabolic risk factors. That group has double the risk of developing heart disease and is five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, says the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Medical centers throughout the country offer excellent preventive cardiology departments, diabetes and endocrine divisions, specialized obesity centers, and in some cases, dedicated metabolic syndrome programs. This month, we feature four Clinical Centers of Excellence that have developed comprehensive, integrative care approaches to improve management of these cardiometabolic disorders.

The profiled institutions were selected by the editors of Medical Economics because of the unique programs they offer; each profile provides a snapshot of how a team approach can foster successful management of these disorders.

One difficulty noted by experts at all four centers is shared by most primary care physicians as well: emphasizing the importance of lifestyle modification. Radical dietary changes and exercise for many of these patients must be started slowly. Some of the tactics used daily by those at our Clinical Centers of Excellence may help you create new ways to motivate patients in your practice.

Modern Medicine NETWORKNEWS & UPDATES
Are health plans changing their views on patient education for cardiometabolic disorders? Learn more at http://memag.com/educationcoverage

EDUCATION
Find up-to-date handouts on cardiometabolic disorders and more at http://modernmedicine.com/patienteducation