Foundation will fund four pilot projects to improve patient self-management

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 4, 2012) – The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is delighted to be partnering with the Verizon Foundation to fund four new pilot projects using technology to help women in vulnerable communities manage chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and lung diseases.

SWHR is one of four health non-profits sharing nearly $15 million from Verizon in grants, in-kind technology, and equipment to reduce healthcare disparities for women, children, and seniors. Verizon’s support aims to advance the utilization of technology to improve quality and access to care, as well as medical adherence for those affected by chronic diseases.

The four projects will be conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University and Emory University. They include: “Enhancing Medical Patient Outcomes With Electronic Resources (EMPOWER) Trial: Platforms for Retaining Health Information,” “Electronic Tracking of Sedentary Time Coupled with Activity Reminder (TrackSTAR),” “Cardiovascular Disease Disparately Affects Women with Diabetes: Development and Feasibility Assessment of a Smartphone Application to Promote Patient Self-management and Enhance Patient/Provider Communication,” and “Move-It Trial: Empowering High Risk Women to Help Prevent CVD and Diabetes.” Each of the studies is designed to encourage patient self-management through innovative technology, and enhance quality of life.

“SWHR is excited for the opportunity to be one of Verizon’s first philanthropic partners,” said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, president and CEO of SWHR. “We know these projects will empower women across the country to manage their care, and we are grateful Verizon recognizes and has embraced this important cause.”

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Teddy Weiss at 202-496-5067 or eleanor@swhr.org.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly how sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research. Visit SWHR’s website at www.swhr.org for more information.

The Verizon Foundation is dedicated to solving critical social issues in the areas of education, healthcare and sustainability. They forge innovative, technology-based partnerships to address disparities in healthcare, and improve quality and access for those disproportionately affected by chronic disease. Learn more at: http://www.verizonfoundation.org/.