DENVER, CO – Members of the Chronic Care Collaborative (CCC), an advocacy organization committed to improving care for Coloradans with chronic diseases, gathered at the State Capitol Building in Denver this morning to commemorate Chronic Disease Awareness Day.

Representatives from thirty-four different voluntary health organizations traveled from around the state to attend the gathering, which featured a panel discussion on the potential of recent innovations in healthcare to lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of chronic diseases.

Entitled “Colorado Breakthroughs,” the panel was composed of three leading members of Colorado’s healthcare innovation community.

Mike Biselli, President of the upcoming digital health hub Catalyst HTI, highlighted several local companies that were developing digital health interventions for chronic diseases. Dr. Kevin Deane, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, discussed his research into the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. And Dr. Huntington Potter, Professor of Neurology at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, shared the insights he had gained from decades of Alzheimer’s research, before admitting that he believed a cure for the disease would be developed within a decade.

Members of the CCC were encouraged by the organization to speak with lawmakers after the gathering to advocate on behalf of the “one in four Coloradans who are living with a chronic disease.” The organization’s chief areas of concern were the high price of pharmaceuticals and the need to ensure the availability of quality, affordable insurance coverage.

“The American Diabetes Association is a member of the Chronic Care Collaborative because it’s important for all of these different associations to come together,” explained Nicole Meyer, Associate Director of Community Engagement for the American Diabetes Association. “At the end of the day we’re fighting for the same people. Most individuals have co-morbidities, and might have one or two of these diseases. We’re trying to take a holistic approach to treating them.”

CyberMed News attended the CCC’s Chronic Disease Day at the Capitol and photographed the event.

“1.2 million people are living with a chronic disease right here in Colorado,” said Carrie Nolan of the National MS Society.

Mike Biselli described the potential of smartphones to make healthcare ubiquitous.

Dr. Kevin Deane urged the members of the CCC to encourage people to get tested for chronic diseases.

Dr. Huntington Potter discussed the current status of Alzheimers research in Colorado.

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