Chronic Disease Prevention & Control

The Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Bureau works to reduce the impact of chronic diseases on New Mexicans. This is accomplished by promoting healthy lifestyles including physical activity, good nutrition, and avoidance of tobacco use. The Bureau also promotes the early detection of chronic diseases through screenings such as pap smears and mammograms. The Bureau reaches out to health care providers with education and support so they can effectively manage patients with chronic diseases. The Bureau contracts with community agencies, schools, and health care providers to: Provide public education and awareness through media campaigns; Offer education to health care providers through conferences and training materials; Provide technical assistance to contractors and communities; Collaborate with stakeholders around chronic disease issues and work with community coalitions around policy development.

Programs

Arthritis Program
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
Comprehensive Cancer Program
Diabetes Prevention and Control
Problem Gambling Prevention Program
Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
Worksite Health Program

There are over 60 staff in the Bureau including nurses, health educators, epidemiologists, a physician, a data manager, support staff, fiscal and administrative staff. Staff are located in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and in regional public health offices.

Practices

An annual provider education conference on breast and cervical cancer prevention and detection.
Committees that promote chronic disease prevention and control: New Mexico Cancer Council, Diabetes Advisory Council, Tobacco Advisory Committee, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Coalition, Breast and Cervical Cancer Quality Assurance Committee
The Department of Health website has links to the chronic disease programs in the Bureau.

Public Health Strides

Increased capacity for diabetes management in rural clinics.
Implemented physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco use prevention and cessation programs in schools and communities.
Expanded the provider network for the provision of breast and cervical screening and diagnostic services.
Increased the number of local clean air and product placement ordinances.
Published and distributed Prostate Cancer in New Mexico and Colorectal Cancer in New Mexico, Breast & Cervical Cancer handbooks to guide clinical practice.
Implemented seminars for providers on disease management and diagnosis.
Implemented sun safety programs in schools.
Reduced the incidence of advanced stages of breast cancer due to early detection.
Implemented and sustained a mass media campaign on smoking cessation and second hand smoke.