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Vision 2020/USA issues call to action to surgeon general
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Vision 2020/USA, along with 27 national member eye care organizations, presented U.S. Surgeon General, Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, with a “call to action” to mark the year 2020.
Vision 2020/USA represents an alliance of more than forty U.S. based professional, academic, and nongovernmental organizations working together and speaking with one voice to assure quality eye health and vision for all people.
Sara D. Brown , MPA, director of government affairs for Prevent Blindness, corresponded with Primary Care Optometry News regarding the importance of this call to action.
“Prevent Blindness and the organizations comprising the Vision 2020/USA coalition recognize that our national burden of vision impairment and eye disease is only projected to increase as our population continues to age, as rates of chronic illness are on the rise and as access to services that could make a difference for avoiding preventable vision loss becomes increasingly narrow,” Brown told PCON. “Loss of sight impacts our national economy through lost wages, productivity and national spend with costs associated with vision loss and eye disease projected to surpass $717 billion by 2050. While there are promising advances in treatments to major causes of vision loss, much more can be accomplished if we also focus on detection, prevention and intervention and work toward integrating vision and eye health into overall health and well-being."
Members of the alliance include: American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Brien Holden Vision Institute, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness North America region, Lighthouse Guild, Prevent Blindness, Lions Clubs International, Vision Impact Institute and Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity International.
“Following the recommendations of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, a call to action from the Surgeon General, who is the chief public health official for the U.S., will bring the level of expertise to set in motion opportunities for collaboration with multisector stakeholders to increase public awareness, develop capacity for surveillance and determine evidence-based guidelines that will ultimately drive clinical best practices, payment policies and improved outcomes,” Brown said.
The organization’s press release added that this call to action would be used to increase public awareness, improve surveillance, clarify the disability and financial cost from vision loss, help standardize public health and clinical practice, and ensure that all people enjoy the lifelong benefits of healthy eyes and clear sight.
“A Surgeon General vall to sction on vision and eye health would be the first of its kind,” Brown told PCON. “As well, there is a unique opportunity presented with the year 2020 to draw national attention to a health issue that has remained on the margins of public health conversations even as Americans of every background rely on healthy eyes and clear sight to live, work and engage with the world.” – by Scott Buzby
Disclosure: Brown is employed by Prevent Blindness.