Local Doctor Punyamurtula Kishore Presents at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 28th Annual BRFSS Conference

Online, March 30, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Punyamurtula S. Kishore MD, MPH, FASAM of Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc. (PMAI), presented his paper on "Epidemiology and Surveillance of a Disease State in a Primary Care Practice," at the CDC's 28th Annual BRFSS Conference in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Kishore presentation was featured in the Emerging Issues in Chronic Diseases and Health Behaviors segment on Tuesday March 22nd .

The CDC's 28th Annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Conference was held March 19th through 23rd, 2011. The conference had a theme of "State-Based Health Surveillance Meeting Local Data Needs." Presenters discussed BRFSS topics in survey research, epidemiology, evaluation, policy, and public health.

Dr. P.S. Kishore's presentation focused on Community Diagnosis and Community Responsive Care. The value of disease mapping in tracking the addiction epidemic 2009 and 2010 was presented. The presentation stressed how primary care practices can be at the forefront of local and community issues. The concept of disease tracking with Google maps was discussed.

Admissions for addiction treatment in Massachusetts rose from 71,887 in 1999 to 91,698 in 2009. Admissions for heroin and other opiates went from 28,809 and 1,003 in 1999 to 38,817 and 4,783 in 2009, respectively.

Recognizing addiction as a chronic disease, Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc. (PMAI) adopted a public health approach with clinics in 30 Massachusetts communities. This model is ecologically friendly and has gained consumer confidence. Treatment incorporates evidence-based SBIRT (screening, brief interventions, and referral to treatment) technology with key components being long-term monitoring of progress by toxicology screening and brief interventions by the providers.

PMAI's practice in suburban Malden, Massachusetts opened in January, 2009. The city is five square miles with 55,712 residents. Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services 2009 statistical report showed 949 admissions for substance abuse in Malden. Cases presenting in the practice were tracked using Google maps to explore trends and determine interventions. These maps along with analysis and recommendations for the community were presented and were well received.

About Punyamurtula S. Kishore MD, MPH, FASAM
Punyamurtula Kishore MD, MPH, FASAM has been a practicing public health scientist for over 30 years. He began as a primary care/family practice physician then became the last Medical Director of the Washingtonian Center for Addiction. Over the past year he has presented at the Vermont Conference on Addiction disorders, NIDA Blending Conference in Albuquerque, NM, and the NADCP Conference in Boston, MA and will be presenting this fall at the AATOD Conference in Chicago, IL, ISAM Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy, and the TCA Conference in Washington, DC. He currently owns and operates 32 primary care practices throughout the state of Massachusetts specializing in addiction medicine and quality care. For more information visit addictionmedicineassociates.com

About Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc.
Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc. is a group of family practices located through Massachusetts, focused on bringing the best care to their patients and community. Their doctors and staff are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous diseases and conditions, and manage both common and complex problems. They are also trained to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments affecting patients of all ages. Preventive Medicine Associates doctors work in the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles and research for disease and injury prevention. For more information visit preventivemedicineassociates.net.