WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and illness in the United States and adds over $167 billion in annual health-related economic losses.(1,2) Tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure account for nearly one-third of cancer deaths in America.(3) In Texas alone, approximately 24,200 adults die each year from their own smoking and thousands more die from exposure to secondhand smoke.(4)
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In an effort to address these alarming statistics Men's Health Network has joined with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and several other partners to host the Texas Wellness and Smoking Policy Symposium. The symposium aims to bring together experts in health, wellness, and smoking cessation to discuss the impact of smoking on the state's health care system, employers, smokers and non-smokers. Topics to be addressed include the health consequences of tobacco, helping smokers quit, and looking ahead to the 2009 Texas Legislative Session.
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The symposium is free and open to the public. Media and attendees can register at www.menshealthconferences.com or call (866) 543-6461 ext.101. The event will take place on December 1, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Houston's M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, F. O'Neil "Neil" Griffin Conference and Education Center, South Campus Research Building 2 - 7435 Fannin Street, Conference Rooms 1-3.
The symposium will feature health and policy experts, including Eduardo Sanchez, MD Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas; State Senator Rodney Ellis via a pre-recorded taped message; Representative - Elect Carol Alvarado; Mr. Leon Leach Executive Vice President of Business and Regulatory Affairs, M. D. Anderson; Alex Prokhorov, MD, PhD Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, M. D. Anderson; Christopher Amos, PhD Professor, Department of Epidemiology, M. D. Anderson; and many more. Event co-sponsors include: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association-Central States, Men's Health Network, National Association of Hispanic Nurses-Houston Chapter, One Voice, RetireSafe, Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness, Texas Nurse Practitioners, Texas Academy of Family Physicians, Texas Public Employees Association, and Pfizer.
About M. D. Anderson
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (http://www.mdanderson.org/) in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. M. D. Anderson is one of only 41 Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. For six of the past nine years, M. D. Anderson has ranked No. 1 in cancer care in "America's Best Hospitals," a survey published annually in U.S. News and World Report.
About Men's Health Network
MHN (www.menshealthnetwork.org) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy, and patient navigation.
(1)The health consequences of smoking: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Ga: Dept of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; Washington, DC: for sale by the Supt of Docs, USGPO, 2004. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2004/index.htm#full. Accessed February 19, 2008.
(2)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual smoking-attributable mortality, years of potential life lost, and productivity losses--United States, 1997-2001. MMWR. 2005;54:625-628.
(3)Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Policy, Program, and Personal Recommendations for Reducing Cancer Risk. 2006-2007 President's Cancer Panel. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Health. Available at: http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/ADVISORY/pcp/pcp07rpt/pcp07rpt.pdf. Accessed February 6, 2008: i.
(4)The Toll of Tobacco in Texas: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Available at: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/toll.php?StateID=TX
SOURCE Men's Health Network
