Kaiser Permanente Invites Conversations about Health with New Blog

Influential Bloggers from Across the Health Sector to Convene for Roundtable Discussion at Center for Total Health in Washington, D.C., and Live Online

News provided by

Kaiser Permanente

Sep 14, 2011, 08:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health is officially entering the blogosphere. The new blog, found on the center's website (http://centerfortotalhealth.org/blog), aspires to become an online destination bringing together experts, thought leaders, bloggers, and the media to delve into topics of health and care.

This week's launch will feature a blogger roundtable on Friday, September 16, at the Center for Total Health in Washington, D.C. Those interested in participating virtually can join the conversation live online beginning at noon EDT at the blog website (http://centerfortotalhealth.org/blog) or follow via Twitter Hashtag #kpcthblog.

"Our hope for the bricks-and-mortar Center for Total Health was that it would be a place for people to convene and explore new ways to advance health," said Jack Cochran, MD, FACS, executive director, The Permanente Federation. "With this blog, we hope to not only extend those conversations that begin at the center, but also initiate conversations online and invite others to join in. It's another place and another opportunity for people to talk about challenging issues across the health sector."

Content for the blog over the next two weeks will feature coverage of events and activities taking place around the U.N. High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases, including events at the Center for Total Health focused on living well with hypertension and the far-reaching benefits of walking. Future posts will include short videos, podcasts, written Q&As, and contributions from guest bloggers.

"As a mission-driven organization, Kaiser Permanente has the responsibility to help advance the dialogue about health nationally and globally," said Raymond J. Baxter, PhD, senior vice president of Community Benefit, Research and Health Policy for Kaiser Permanente. "Our vision is focused on making lives better. We want the Center for Total Health blog to be a platform for robust discussions on issues surrounding health and care. Bringing great minds together in one place, the dialogue on the blog is sure to be thought-provoking."

"No single organization will ever have all the answers. But amazing things can happen when people come together," Cochran added. "We're hoping the blog will facilitate dynamic conversations that examine difficult topics, explore possible solutions, share learnings, and celebrate successes."

An interactive learning destination for the public, thought leaders and the health sector, the Center for Total Health features interactive displays that inspire dialogue about improving health and wellness. Many of the exhibits demonstrate what Kaiser Permanente and others are doing to advance health and care delivery in the United States. Since opening in April 2011, the center has been the site of more than 40 health-related meetings and events and has welcomed hundreds of visitors.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.8 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.

For information, contact:
Trish Doherty, 510-847-5187, [email protected]
Randi Kahn, 703-522-0280, [email protected]

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente