New Baxter-Sponsored WFH Video Launched to Spur a Global Dialogue on Improving Access to Hemophilia Care and Treatment
July 12 2010 - 10:00AM
Business Wire
Baxter International Inc., in its continued support of the World
Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), today announced the launch of the
“Our Lives with Hemophilia: The Stories of Vaibhav and Paul” video
podcast at the Hemophilia 2010 World Congress of the WFH. The video
podcast provides perspective into the daily lives of two young men
with severe hemophilia A from diverse backgrounds. It is the final
episode in the Achieving Treatment for All: Hemophilia
and Bleeding Disorders Educational Series, developed to spur a
global dialogue and action around the need for broad-based access
to care and treatment for people with hemophilia and other
inherited bleeding disorders.
“Though the inherited bleeding disorders community has made
significant progress in the past 50 years, we must work to address
the significant disparities in care that still exist, as well as to
protect the standard of care we have achieved in developed
countries,” said Mark Skinner, president, WFH. “We are grateful for
Baxter’s support of the Treatment for All educational podcast
series because it has inspired conversations about how the
community can work together to continue to improve the standard of
care for patients, regardless of where they live.”
The “Our Lives with Hemophilia: The Stories of Vaibhav and Paul”
video podcast, available at www.wfh.org/TFAseries, provides
perspective into the daily lives of Paul Wilton of London, Canada
and Vaibhav Nehra of New Delhi, India, both of whom live with
severe hemophilia A. The video podcast is available in English and
English with Spanish subtitles, and an audio-only version also is
available.
People with hemophilia are living longer, more productive lives
than ever before, thanks to access to comprehensive care and
advanced therapies,1,2,3 but significant disparities remain, in
both developed and developing countries, as 75 percent of patients
worldwide do not receive appropriate care.4
“Optimal hemophilia management regimens are only as effective as
they are accessible,” said Wing-Yen Wong, M.D., global senior
medical director, Hemophilia at Baxter. “That is why we continue to
invest in improving patient access to care today through offering
therapeutic options that support diverse patient needs and in our
commitment to programs such as WFH’s Global Alliance for Progress
(GAP) to support the global community.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to optimizing hemophilia care
and improving the lives of people living with hemophilia worldwide,
Baxter supports access through community participation, as well as
the education and training of healthcare professionals who treat
bleeding disorders to improve medical outcomes. Baxter continues to
support a multi-year commitment to WFH’s GAP program as the
founding and leading sponsor, including multi-year product
donations. In addition to WFH GAP donations, with humanitarian aid
partner AmeriCares, Baxter has reached those living with hemophilia
in underserved countries with nearly 14 million international units
of much-needed factor replacement therapy donations over the past
several years.
About Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a rare genetic blood clotting disorder that
primarily affects males.4 People living with hemophilia do not have
enough of, or are missing, one of the blood clotting proteins
naturally found in blood.4 In people with hemophilia A, clotting
factor VIII is not present in sufficient amounts or is absent.4
People with hemophilia do not bleed more profusely or faster than
normal but bleed for a longer period of time.2 Hemophilia is
usually inherited, and about one in every 5,000 males is born with
the disorder.2 About one third of new cases are caused by a new
mutation of the gene in the mother or the child.2 In these cases,
there is no previous history of hemophilia in the family.2
According to the WFH, more than 400,000 people in the world have
hemophilia.2 All races and economic groups are affected
equally.2
Comprehensive care is critical to managing the physical,
emotional, psychological, social and educational needs of people
with hemophilia and their families. The hemophilia care team
includes a wide range of professionals – including hematologists,
nurses, physical therapists, social workers, counselors and many
others – who deliver the skills and care necessary to manage
patient needs and improve their health. Involving this specialized
team ensures accurate diagnosis, prompt and effective treatment,
fewer hospitalizations, healthy joints and muscles and support for
families. The care team also provides psychosocial support for the
caregiver, who plays an important role in hemophilia management,
including through coordinating medical care, helping to administer
factor replacement therapy and educating community members with
whom the patient interacts. Thanks in part to hemophilia therapies
available, life expectancy for hemophilia patients in developed
countries has increased to more than 60 years today.3,4
About Baxter International Inc.
Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops,
manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives
of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases,
kidney disease, trauma and other chronic and acute medical
conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter
applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices,
pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance
patient care worldwide.
References
1. Soucie JM et al. Mortality among males with hemophilia:
relations with source of medical care. Blood 2000; 96 (2):
437-442.
2. What is Hemophilia? World Federation of Hemophilia. Accessed
on: 22 April 2010. Available at:
www.wfh.org/2/1/1_1_Hemophilia.htm.
3. Darby SC et. al. Mortality rates, life expectancy, and causes
of death in people with hemophilia A or B in the United Kingdom who
were not infected with HIV. Blood 2007, 815-825.
4. Frequently Asked Questions About Hemophilia. World Federation
of Hemophilia. Accessed on: 22 April 2010. Available at:
http://www.wfh.org/2/1/1_1_1_FAQ.htm.
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