WASHINGTON, April 16, 2013 — Caring for the world, one person at a time... inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science - bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people.This year, TEDMED has identified 20 Great Challenges of Health and Medicine: complex, persistent problems that have medical and non-medical causes, impact millions of lives, and affect the health and well-being of people around the world.
As a global corporation, Johnson & Johnson is continually striving to address many of these challenges to help make the world healthier and happier. The following Q&A showcases a selection of these innovations:
Q: Mental health tends to decline as we age and it is predicted that by 2020 there will be 43 million Americans over 65 and 15 million over 85 facing dementia. In Preparing for the Dementia Tsunami, what is Johnson & Johnson doing to prepare to meet the needs of these patients?
A: “We are dedicated to research of the whole brain to determine causes, as well as potential cures for this epidemic,” said Husseini Manji, Global Therapeutic Area Head for Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development. “Our Janssen division is focused on the power of science and the value of integrated holistic care to help people achieve Healthy Minds for life. We are committed to discovering innovative therapeutic solutions for people with dementia – as well as other brain disorders and pain. Fortunately, we have learned that the brain can change and heal – and that cells and cell networks can flourish after mental illness and injury.”
Q: The debate between addressing symptoms and disease or the patient who has them continues. How is Johnson & Johnson Addressing Whole Patient Care?
A: “One of our top priorities in terms of addressing whole patient care is tackling the stigma that often comes with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” said Husseini Manji. “More than 5.3 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and we believe that the solution to Alzheimer’s today is to develop a more personal understanding of the day-to-day challenges facing those with the disease. We take the same approach to Dementia and our partnership with Second Wind Dreams® and their Virtual Dementia Tour® helps build a greater understanding of dementia through the use of patented sensory tools and instruction. This tour enables caregivers and professionals to experience firsthand the physical and mental challenges facing those with dementia. To date, more than 500,000 people in 14 countries have experienced the Virtual Dementia Tour®.
Q: Reducing Childhood Obesity and Coming to Terms with the Obesity Crisis are two of the Great Challenges this year. How is Johnson & Johnson working to address these?
A: “Our Gateway to a Healthy Community – Healthy Kids program is addressing healthcare disparities, specifically in terms of the growing incidence of childhood obesity,” said Michael E. Sneed, Vice President, Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs. This multi-city program is designed to help children become more active during the school day and on a path to a healthier future. One of our greatest success stories has been in Newark, NJ where we have been working hand-in-hand with Mayor Cory A. Booker who has been a great advocate of our program. Regarding the Adult Obesity Crisis, in the last 40 years, the U.S. population has gone from 40% overweight to 60% overweight, leading to not only chronic conditions but deadly diseases. The Gateway to a Healthy Community program addresses this epidemic with a pre-emptive approach - by reaching children in schools and getting them active to avoid obesity issues as an adult.”
Q: As new tests, treatments and devices are introduced they often come with high price tags. What is Johnson & Johnson doing to help Achieve More Medical Innovation, More Affordably?
A: “We understand that patients expect and demand the latest, best medical products and services and do not want – and often cannot – wait for the costs to come down,” said Diego Miralles, Head, Janssen Healthcare Innovation. “Johnson & Johnson is committed to reducing healthcare disparities and increasing accessibility. As a member of this Challenge team, I was able to share with the TEDMED community some of our innovations including mobile health tools, public/private partnerships like our Gateway to a Healthy Community Program and dedication to treatments of diseases such as TB that impact developing-world communities.”
Q: America spends $2 trillion on healthcare - mostly treating people after they become sick. How is Johnson & Johnson Making Prevention Popular and Profitable so there is lower spending on sick care and greater participation in healthy lifestyles?
A: “We believe that giving people the tools to stay healthy is as important as helping them when they are sick,” said Fik Issac, Vice President, Global Health Services, Johnson & Johnson. “We have found that incentives play an important role in promoting good health and in encouraging specific behaviors, decisions, or actions that will help people live healthy lives. In fact, in the 25 years that we’ve offered employee wellness programs, we’ve seen cost reductions as well as marked improvements in employee health. And, in this case, we believe accessibility is another path to popularity.”
Q: How is Johnson & Johnson Promoting Active Lifestyles?
A: “We are committed to promoting active lifestyles no matter ones age, but we realize that healthy habits need to be formed early in life,” said Jack Groppel, PhD, Vice President of Applied Science and Performance Training, Wellness and Prevention, Inc. and Co-Founder, Human Performance Institute. “We know that today’s average American burns 500 fewer calories per day than 100 years ago, while consuming many more calories than before. And, our lifestyle is becoming more sedentary than ever. The Human Performance Institute and public/private partnerships such as Gateway to a Healthy Community and the Lake Nona Institute are just a few ways Johnson & Johnson promotes active lifestyles.”
Q: More and more companies are recognizing the benefits of Inventing Wellness Programs That Work. Johnson & Johnson has been a pioneer on this front. Can you tell us more about the programs you offer to your employees?
A: “Johnson & Johnson has a deep heritage in developing successful corporate wellness programs to help people prevent illness and enhance wellness,” said Jack Groppel. “We were one of the first companies to offer fitness facilities to our employees and to organize corporate sports teams with a focus on baseball in 1895, women’s basketball in 1907 and bowling in 1900. In 1942 we developed an official employee athletic association and offered swimming, tennis, cycling, archery, riding, softball, bowling and basketball. And, with the opening of the Human Performance Institute, Johnson & Johnson continues to raise the bar on programs designed to keep employees healthy and active.”
Q: Personal technology has played a vital role in Shaping the Future of Personalized Medicine. How is Johnson & Johnson innovating in this arena?
A: “As technology, science and innovation evolve at an increasingly rapid pace, education and access to information is crucial,” said Michael Weinberger, Director, IT Innovation, Johnson & Johnson. “We aim to be at the forefront of technology and have forged partnerships with Microsoft and developed mobile health tools to help consumers take charge of their health and better work with their doctors to ensure they are getting the best and most personalized care possible. With our suite of mobile health tools includes Digital Health Scorecard, Care4Today™ Mobile Health Manager and Energy Management Training.
About Johnson & Johnson
Caring for the world, one person at a time inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science - bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 127,600 employees at more than 275 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.
About TEDMED
TEDMED, LLC is an independent organization operated under a special license from the nonprofit TED conference. TEDMED is the world’s only TED-licensed event focused solely on innovation and breakthrough thinking across all of health and medicine. TEDMED 2012 featured 71 preeminent leaders in health, medicine, science, technology, business, government, academia, media and the arts, who spoke before a sold-out audience of more than 1,600 Delegates. Jay Walker has served as the Curator of TEDMED since 2011. Walker is also the founder of Priceline.com. For more information, please visit www.TEDMED.com.
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Contact:
Carol Goodrich
Johnson & Johnson
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