Managed Care - October 2008 - (Page ISCover2) WELCOME SELF-STUDY CONTINUING EDUCATION ACTIVITY Care Editor JOHN MARCILLE Managing Editor FRANK DIAMOND Associate Editor TONY BERBERABE Design Director PHILIP DENLINGER MediMedia Managed Markets Publishing Editor, Custom Publications MICHAEL D. DALZELL Senior Editors, Custom Publications KATHERINE T. ADAMS AMY KRAJACIC Contributing editors to this supplement MAXINE LOSSEFF E. SCHUYLER MATTHEWS Group Publisher TIMOTHY P. SEARCH, RPH Director of New Product Development TIMOTHY J. STEZZI Eastern Sales Manager SCOTT MACDONALD Senior Account Manager KENNETH D. WATKINS, III Director, Production Services WANETA PEART Circulation Manager JACQUELYN OTT MANAGED CARE (ISSN 1062-3388) is published monthly by MediMedia USA, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. This is Supplement 10 to Vol. 17, No. 10. Periodicals postage paid at Morrisville, Pa., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MANAGED CARE, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. Price: $10 per copy, $100 per year in the United States; $120 per year elsewhere. E-mail: editors_mail@managedcaremag.com. Phone: (267) 6852788. Copyright 2008, MediMedia USA. M A N A G E D Immunization Strategies for Reducing Influenza’s Burden on Public Health Overview/needs assessment Annual influenza epidemics generate a significant public health burden each year in the United States. Medical and public health professionals, government officials and agencies, and nongovernmental organizations have long called for increasing influenza vaccine usage in the United States and around the world. The reasons for doing so include reducing influenza-associated morbidity and mortality, reducing the economic burden of influenza, preparing for pandemic influenza, and fostering bioterrorism preparedness. This assessment examines the burden of annual influenza epidemics in the United States. Other areas discussed include prevention and management of influenza, access to care, and the idea of universal vaccinations. Target audience This program is targeted to medical directors, physicians, and pharmacists within managed care organizations. Educational objectives After reading this publication, participants will be able to: • Discuss strategies used for influenza prevention, diagnosis, and management, especially in vulnerable populations. • Assess burden of disease associated with influenza in all populations. • Evaluate the economic impact of influenza on the health care system. • Review Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting discussions and notes. • Discuss appropriateness and means for universal influenza vaccination. Method of instruction Participants should read the learning objectives and review the activity in its entirety. After reviewing this activity, submit a completed posttest and evaluation. Upon achieving a passing score of 70 percent or better on the post-test, a statement of credit will be awarded. Accreditation and designation This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the sponsorship of The Chatham Institute. The Chatham Institute is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Chatham Institute designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The Chatham Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This program is approved for 2.5 contact hours (0.25 CEU) of continuing education for pharmacists. ACPE Universal Program Number (UPN): 812-000-08-019-H01-P Release Date: Oct. 15, 2008 Expiration Date: Oct. 15, 2009 Medium: Journal supplement Planning committee members Robert Belshe, MD; Pedro Piedra, MD; Michael Kaufman, MD, Allan Jay Kogan, MD, MSS, ABFP, FAAFP, CPE; Alyce Kuhn, RN, RRT, MSHA; Richard Collins, MD; Steven R. Peskin, MD, MBA, The Chatham Institute; and Amy Krajacic, editor. Conflict-of-interest policy and disclosures of significant relationships It is the policy of The Chatham Institute to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational programs. The Chatham Institute requires the disclosure of any significant financial interest or any other relationship a faculty member may have with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) or device(s). Further, faculty members are required to disclosure discussion of any off-label uses in their presentation. Any faculty members not complying the disclosure policy are not permitted to participate in the educational activity. All program content has been peer reviewed for balance and any potential bias. The process to resolve conflicts of interest aims to ensure that financial relationships with commercial interests and resultant loyalties do not supersede the public interest in the design and delivery of continuing medical activities for the profession. The faculty of this program and the editorial staff of this monograph has disclosed the following: Robert Belshe, MD: honoraria from MedImmune, Merck, sanofi-aventis; grant/research support from Merck. He also serves as a consultant for MedImmune, Merck, and Novartis, and serves on the speaker’s bureau for sanofi-aventis, Merck, and MedImmune. Pedro Piedra, MD: consulting fees from Merck, MedImmune, Novartis, Roche , and sanofi pasteur. He also has performed contracted research for MedImmune, Novartis, and sanofi pasteur, and serves on the speaker’s bureau for MedImmune. Michael Kaufman, MD: honoraria from Celgene. Allan Jay Kogan, MD, MSS, ABFP, FAAFP, CPE; Alyce Kuhn, RN, RRT, MSHA; Richard Collins, MD; Steven R. Peskin, MD, MBA; and Amy Krajacic: No real or apparent conflicts of interest to report with respect to the content of this publication. Program sponsorship and support This activity is sponsored by The Chatham Institute and is supported by an educational grant from MedImmune. www.managedcaremag.com http://www.managedcaremag.com
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