NEHI Honored by the Boston Foundation for Work in Wellness and Chronic Disease Prevention

BOSTON, MA  – The New England Healthcare Institute (NEHI), a nonprofit health policy organization dedicated to transforming health care for the benefit of patients and their families, was honored by the Boston Foundation at its Annual Meeting last evening for its work in highlighting issues of wellness and chronic disease prevention in its report, The Boston Paradox: Lots of Health Care, Not Enough Health.

The report, published in June 2007 by NEHI in partnership with the Boston Foundation, highlights critical issues of health, health care and economic competitiveness in the Greater Boston area. Its primary finding was that Boston, despite its position as a global leader in health care, has a population not much healthier than other American cities in terms of obesity and other chronic health problems, and that this represents a serious challenge to both the region’s health and its economic competitiveness.

 “The Boston Paradox report is stimulating a dynamic dialogue about the importance of health to our people and our economy,” said Paul S. Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston Foundation. “Informing the debate about health and health care going forward will play a key role in the well-being of the city, state and region.”

In addition to being honored at last night’s event, NEHI received an additional grant from the Boston Foundation as well as prominent recognition in the Foundation’s annual report, “Stories from the City.”

“It’s not enough to expand access to health care and try to control costs,” said Tom Hubbard, NEHI senior program director and Boston Paradox co-author, in the annual report. “We have to reverse trends that are making us unhealthy.”

Building on the research of The Boston Paradox, NEHI and the Boston Foundation are now developing a blueprint for action to foster wellness across Massachusetts. The project is focused on outlining evidence-based approaches to combat obesity and other chronic diseases and identifying the need for collaboration among innovative wellness programs already underway in schools, communities and workplaces in Massachusetts. The two organizations are also working to drive public policy that supports the full adoption of these programs across the Commonwealth.

For more information on NEHI’s work in prevention and wellness, visit http://www.nehi.net/programs/18/prevention_and_wellness.

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About NEHI
The New England Healthcare Institute is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming health care for the benefit of patients and their families. In partnership with members from all across the health care system, NEHI conducts evidence-based research and stimulates policy change to improve the quality and the value of health care. Together with this unparalleled network of committed health care leaders, NEHI brings an objective, collaborative and fresh voice to health policy. For more information, visit http://www.nehi.net/.