Thailand:

The SON co-hosted an international conference, "Prevention and Management of Chronic Conditions: International Perspectives," in Bangkok, Thailand, in January.

"These kinds of international initiatives are extremely important as we become more active in the global community. I think that our School of Nursing has a responsibility, as an international nursing leader, to address chronic conditions and other pressing issues beyond the borders of the United States," said Dr. Linda Cronenwett, dean of the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Chronic conditions like stroke, diabetes and cancer account for roughly 60% of global deaths and almost one third of global disease according to the World Health Organization.

The Conference offered an opportunity for nursing professionals and scholars to: explore strategies for the prevention and management of chronic conditions; explore trends in global nursing research on prevention and management of chronic conditions; and demonstrate the impact of healthcare systems on outcomes of persons with chronic conditions.

Other sponsors included Ramathibodi Hospital and Mahidol University, in Thailand, and Yale University in New Haven, CT.