North Carolina Pain Initiative

For information on the North Carolina Pain Initiative, please contact Shannon Johnson at:

sjohnson@carolinasendoflifecare.org

More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain caused by various diseases and disorders, and each year 25 million experience acute pain as a result of injury or surgery.

The South Carolina Pain Initiative (SCPI) goals are to:

- Educate health care providers, patients, their families and the public about pain prevention and relief
- Identify and eliminate myths and barriers to managing pain
- Advocate for improved public policy on pain related issues
- Provide better access to pain management programs

The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care in partnership with the American Cancer Society, the South Carolina Cancer Alliance and others is actively pursuing these goals.

SC Pain Survey Results Available

In April 2007, the SC Pain Initiative worked with the USC Institute of Public Affairs to commission a statewide survey to determine the prevalence and impact of pain on South Carolinians. The survey was funded by grants from the American Cancer Society and the SC Cancer Alliance. To view the complete survey and an executive summary, click here

Executive Summary for the Public Awareness Survey

The South Carolina Pain Initiative asked a series of questions designed to identify the extent to which adults in the state experience pain and how they deal with such pain. Included in this survey were items on whether respondents experience pain; treatment by a health professional; satisfaction with treatment; barriers to...>>more>>.

Pain Policy Report Card-Pain and Policy Studies Group

To See how South Carolina was rated and how we compare to other states, Click Here

News
North Carolina and South Carolina Celebrate Pain Awareness Month

For the first time ever, North Carolina received a state proclamation naming September as Pain Awareness Month. September has been declared Pain Awareness Month in South Carolina for the sixth consecutive year. It is also Pain Awareness Month nationally. National statistics show that more than 116 million Americans suffer from chronic pain caused by various diseases and disorders. Each year 25 million people experience acute pain as a result of injury or surgery. Pain takes an economic toll on our country, costing up to $635 billion dollars each year in medical expenses, lost wages, reduced productivity and other costs. Good pain management is an important patient right at any stage of a disease process and improved pain management education and an effective multidisciplinary treatment approach can help reduce suffering and remove barriers to pain-free living. Click here for details.

Reform, REMS and Regulations: An Update on National Pain Policy

On Wednesday September 29th, Rebecca Kirch, Associate Director of Policy for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network presented "Reform, REMS and Regulations: An Update on National Pain Policy" to an audience of health care professionals from Georgia, SC and NC. She discussed the importance of balanced policy in regards to pain management; policy which makes medications available to those who need them and keeps medications away from those who misuse them. For more information, please contact Shannon Johnson at: sjohnson@carolinasendoflifecare.org

House Overwhelmingly Votes in Favor of Legislation that Would Help Millions Cope with Chronic Pain

National Pain Care Bill calls for Increased Research, Education and Awareness of Pain Management Issues

WASHINGTON - March 30, 2009 - The House of Representatives passed a critical piece of bipartisan legislation today that would address the barriers and stigmas associated with pain management and will ultimately bring relief to millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain everyday. The National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009 (H.R. 756) would...

Click here to read the entire article.

Top Cancer Groups Announce State Pain Policies Evaluation Results

Eight US States Improve their Pain Policies in the Past Year Alone. In the second year of their joint program to promote better pain control, the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure released the 2007 Pain and Policy Report Card of state-level pain management policies across the country. To read the full article, click here.

South Carolina Celebrates Pain Awareness Month

For the fifth consecutive year, September has been declared Pain Awareness Month in South Carolina. It is also Pain Awareness Month nationally. The proclamation acknowledges that unrelieved pain is a widespread and serious public health problem. The pain crisis not only has severe economic consequences for our state and country, but it also negatively affects...

Click here to read the entire article.

Resources

Educational Video for Patients & Teaching Tools for Professionals

The patient education video was developed to encourage patients to communicate with their doctors and nurses about their pain. The video includes English and Spanish versions, printable patient education materials and professional education modules for nurses.

The video package costs $99. For additional information, contact Shannon Johnson at: 843.709.5470

To view the video, click here. (it will take at least a few minutes to download)

Pain Management Tool-Kit Available: Pain and Dementia

To learn more about this tool-kit,
click here.

NEW FREE RESOURCE

Purdue Pharma New Pain Management Resource:
16 month Calendar: In the Face of Pain: Empowering Change Each month highlights a pain resources and included a quote from a pain advocates. Order one for yourself at partnersagainstpain.com



 
 


For more information
on Alliance of State
Pain Initiatives membership,
Click here

For information about their Annual Conference, click here.