Buffalo, N.Y. — The second of three programs in the WNED-produced MY HEALTH COUNTS! series, subtitled “Self Management,” premieres Tuesday, March 31 at 8 pm on WNED-TV.  It will be rebroadcast on Monday, April 6 at 8 pm on ThinkBright TV (digital channel 17.3/Time Warner 21).

Knowledgeable health care professionals will offer practical, useful information to help viewers take positive, realistic steps toward a healthier future. Host Susan Hunt guides the conversation with two national experts:

• Dr. Doriane Miller is the National Director of New Health Partnerships, a collaborative online community designed to support patients with chronic conditions.
• Trisha Torrey is a well-known patient advocate and founder of DiagKNOWsis who writes and presents nationally. She began speaking out for patient empowerment after being misdiagnosed with cancer in 2004.

In addition, inspirational stories will feature Western New Yorkers who are successfully managing their health—partnering with their doctors, reaching out for information and support; and making lifestyle changes to improve their health and manage chronic conditions.

• Deborah Lavell started a healthier lifestyle after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes;
• Ann Gatti learned to manage her osteoporosis through The Living Healthy Program, which she now facilitates for other patients;
• Scott Woodward, who has myeloma, found much-needed support through the Internet and Gilda’s Club.
• Betsy Reiser, a young girl with diabetes, is living an active life and managing her condition with help from her family.

Topics covered in Self-Management include:

• taking ownership of your health and health care
• understanding how daily choices affect your health
• basic strategies of self-management—goal setting, action planning, tracking changes, and problem solving
• knowing where to turn for information, resources and support

[Immediately following this premiere, the first program in the MY HEALTH COUNTS! series, “Partnering with Your Doctor,” airs at 8:30 pm on both WNED and ThinkBright.]

The television series is part of a broad community awareness initiative presented by WNED, ThinkBright and the P2 Collaborative of Western New York. The initiative also includes a comprehensive Web site; public service announcements; and community events. The entire local effort is, in turn, part of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s national Aligning Forces for Quality initiative.

“‘My Health Counts!’ is an attitude—you are in control of your health,” said WNED Producer/Director Christy May. “The television series is really about encouraging and empowering people to take charge of their personal health and wellness.”

“MY HEALTH COUNTS! is one of the most visible elements of the overall initiative and one that actively engages each member of our community in an effort to lift the quality of health and healthcare,” said WNED President and CEO Donald K. Boswell, who also serves on the board of the local P2 Collaborative. “I am proud that public broadcasting is playing such an important role in connecting this important community initiative to people throughout our viewing area.”

Major funding for the series is provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, with additional funding from Catholic Health Systems, Atwal Eye Care Associates and The McGuire Group. Foundation support is provided by “Aligning Forces for Quality,” an initiative of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The John R. Oishei Foundation and The Robert J. Stransky Foundation.

For more information, visit thinkbright.org/myhealthcounts.