CRI in Action | Publications

Learn more about Canyon Ranch Institute (CRI) and our partnerships through these recent publications. Click on the publication links below to view additional information.

Improving Obesity Management in Adult Primary Care
Strategies to Overcome & Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance
March 2010

On March 16, 2010, the STOP Obesity Alliance research team at The George Washington University released a white paper based on outcomes of an expert roundtable that examined innovative approaches to help address obesity in the primary care setting. The paper outlines five areas to explore to improve the treatment of obesity in primary care:

• Monitoring weight, health indicators and risk;
• Assessing patient motivation;
• Defining success;
• Increasing integration and care coordination; and
• Implementing electronic medical records.

Almanac of Chronic Disease: 2009 Edition
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
May 2009

Chronic diseases such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease affect approximately 133 million Americans and ultimately lead to 70 percent of the deaths in our country each year. To inform policymakers and other local, state, and national leaders of the economic and societal impacts of chronic disease, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) published the 2009 Almanac of Chronic Disease. The Almanac combines peer-reviewed data and commentary from national health care leaders and policy experts on the burden that chronic diseases put on health care spending, U.S. economic growth, business, public health insurance programs, health and prosperity, as well as the increasing level of public support for fighting chronic disease. CRI President Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006) and national chairperson of the PFCD, contributed the Almanac Foreword, and CRI Executive Director Jennifer Cabe, M.A., PFCD advisory board member, contributed commentaries within the Almanac chapters.

The Threat of Obesity: Our Nation’s Health, Safety and Security at Risk
Strategies to Overcome & Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance
March 2009

As the STOP Obesity Alliance continues efforts to take on the obesity health crisis, its new blog, "Weighing In" will serve as an open dialogue to connect with those interested in obesity and weight-related health risks, like diabetes and heart disease. On March 26, CRI President Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006), and Health and Wellness Chairperson of the STOP Obesity Alliance, blogged about the "often overlooked consequence of the rise in obesity over the past two decades. Obesity impacts our nation’s security"

Principles for Meaningful Health Reform
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
January 2009

Americans have made it clear that health reform is the domestic issue they want Congress and the Obama Administration to make a top priority. In this turbulent economy, no single policy opportunity will have as dramatic an impact as effectively addressing the growing crisis of chronic disease. In “Principles for Meaningful Health Reform,” the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease calls for changes in national and state policy around chronic disease prevention and management. These common-sense principles for health reform describe the changes needed to inspire and sustain a culture of wellness in America, to improve the health status of all Americans, and to alleviate the burdens of avoidable costs, preventable disability, and premature death from chronic diseases.

Obesity GPS – A Guide for Policy and Program Solutions
Strategies To Overcome & Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance
December 2008

Nearly two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese. Obesity is the second-highest cause of preventable death in the United States. The STOP Obesity Alliance's goal is to help reverse America's rising trend in obesity and related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. The Obesity GPS is a leading-edge navigation tool that provides a set of multi-layered questions that public and private-sector decision makers should consider as they develop policies, programs, and initiatives that affect people with overweight and obesity. Four categories are included in the Obesity GPS:

Balancing the Scales In Obesity Prevention and Treatment
Published in the AAMC Reporter and authored by Dr. Richard H. Carmona
July 2008

Today, nearly 75 percent of our health care costs and seven of every 10 deaths can be traced to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Many chronic diseases could be prevented by focusing on obesity prevention and treatment. In this publication, Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, president of Canyon Ranch Institute and 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006) urges health professionals to make changes in the ways we approach obesity in America and highlights some of the key recommendations put forth by the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance. Dr. Carmona notes awareness of obesity stigmas, approaches to successful weight-loss, and the availability of relevant academic research as important issues that will help Americans to overcome the obesity crisis.

National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship
A Battle Plan for the New War on Cancer
July 2008

The National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship brings together the best strategies on cancer prevention and survivorship in order to resonate with America's diverse populations and re-engage all sectors of society in the fight against cancer. More than 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and at least half of those new cases can be prevented or detected earlier when they are most treatable. This National Call to Action outlines goals and strategies for action, providing a roadmap for the private sector, policymakers, and all Americans to take decisive action in making cancer prevention and survivorship a national priority.

The National Call to Action was developed under the leadership of former U.S. Surgeons General Richard H. Carmona, David Satcher, Joycelyn Elders, and Antonia Novello and via collaboration among numerous expert participants from public health, science, government, business, health care, and other relevant areas.

Peoples' Piece – Cancer: What it Means to You
A Booklet to Accompany the National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship
July 2008

The U.S. Surgeon General serves as the nation's doctor. There have been only 17 Surgeons General in the history of our nation. Four of the former Surgeons General came together in 2008 to collaborate with numerous people and organizations to develop a National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship. The Surgeons General led the National Call to Action to protect Americans from cancer, promote improved survivorship, and advance our nation's health. This booklet explains what the National Call to Action says and what it means to you.

Keeping America Healthy
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
June 2008

Recognizing both the significant problem of chronic disease and the opportunities for health improvement, innovators in communities across the U.S. are developing sustainable, replicable programs that work to improve health and lower costs. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease developed this report to serve as a comprehensive resource for leaders at the local, state, and national levels who are interested in developing policies and programs to address the crisis of chronic illness. The accompanying resources illustrate the positive impact that population health improvement activities can have on health, healthcare costs, and overall economic gains and outline steps to develop and support meaningful changes that will make a difference.

Almanac of Chronic Disease: 2008 Edition
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
May 2008

The 2008 "Almanac of Chronic Disease" reveals that, in the United States today, chronic diseases directly affect more than 130 million Americans and cost the U.S. economy $1 trillion a year in lost productivity. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) published the Almanac to serve as a key resource in the battle against the crisis of chronic disease. In five chapters, the Almanac provides information and commentary by health care experts and PFCD advisory board members on the human cost of chronic disease, the economics of chronic disease, the costs of chronic disease tomorrow, opportunities for improvement, and public understanding of the problem.

Shifting the Scales: Creating Solutions to Overcome and Prevent Obesity
Published in the Group Practice Journal and authored by Dr. Richard H. Carmona
April 2008

Obesity is pervasive in America and impacts every aspect of our lives. As the obesity epidemic increases, the progress made in managing and preventing the co-morbidities associated with obesity, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, is jeopardized. In this article Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, president of Canyon Ranch Institute and 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006) highlights the four policy recommendations outlined by the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance. These key messages include redefining success, encouraging innovation and best practices in obesity treatment, addressing and reducing stigma as a barrier to obesity treatment, and broadening the research agenda for obesity. Dr. Carmona acknowledges that while reversing the obesity trend will be a long-term effort, STOP's four policy recommendations provide a framework for taking the first steps.

Policy Recommendations Regarding America's Obesity Epidemic
Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance
January 2008

As a follow-up to the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance's November 2007 research report, the Alliance issued specific policy recommendations that take an innovative and practical approach to the systems that impact obesity in the United States. The Alliance's policy recommendations focus on four key areas, which include redefining success, encouraging innovation and best practices in obesity treatment, addressing and reducing stigma as a barrier to obesity treatment, and broadening the research agenda for obesity.

Re-Visioning Success: How Stigma, Perceptions of Treatment, and Definitions of Success Impact Obesity and Weight Management in America
A Research Report for the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance By The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Department of Health Policy
November 2007

Affecting nearly two-thirds of adults, overweight and obesity is one of the most significant public health threats facing America. This research for the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance examines what may contribute to the disconnect between the scientific data demonstrating the harmful health and economic effects of overweight and obesity and the insufficient action to change the public and private sector systems that form barriers against effective weight management.

Improving Childhood Influenza Immunization Rates To Protect Our Nation's Children
A Report from the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition
Sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
October 2007

Disturbed by low influenza immunization rates of less than 21 percent among recommended children, the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition issued the new report, Improving Childhood Influenza Immunization Rates to Protect Our Nation's Children. The report highlights the need to improve immunization rates among children of all ages and outlines strategies for health care professionals and parents to take to improve immunization rates among this vulnerable population.

Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease "Ideas for Change" Policy Platform
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
September 2007

The PFCD believes that rising rates of chronic health problems pose a significant and unsustainable burden on the U.S. health care system, and that the viability and strength of the system—presently and in the future—relies on a willingness to enact policies that help Americans better prevent and manage chronic illnesses. This platform is intended to help to focus our nation's leaders—including the 2008 presidential candidates—on the crisis of chronic disease and highlight common-sense reforms that will help the nation to address this challenge.