Fort McMurray – WBPCN is introducing an online lifestyle modification program, INTERxVENT, as part of the continued comprehensive chronic disease care provided to the community of Wood Buffalo.

INTERxVENT is a comprehensive, medically-based online program intended to improve health and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease through modification in lifestyle behaviors, such as helping individuals to improve diet, increase exercise, lose weight, reduce stress, and support smoking cessation. An output of the program is to determine health risks while providing an individualized action plan comprised of tools and personal mentorship by a health care professional.

M. Jill Sporidis, Executive Director of the WBPCN, says she is pleased to implement the program as it provides patients with yet another tool to support self-care while reducing chronic disease risk factors.

“I am excited that patients in this community now have yet another resource at their disposal to improve their overall health and wellbeing through this individualized, self-help lifestyle modification program,” says Sporidis.
The program is initially rolling out with 100 Type 2 diabetic patients with the intent to expand this medical mentoring to all patients who wish to access individualized education modules.

“We are going to begin with a specific patient group so we can evaluate and assess if improvements have to be made to our internal processes and then we will continue and expand to our entire patient demographic,” explains Sporidis.
As part of their medical visit, the patient will answer a set of questions that determines a level of health risk. A report is then generated that outlines specifc areas for improvement followed by regular mentoring through telephone and internet contact by a health care professional.

Janice Bull, Nurse Program Lead for INTERxVENT, sees benefit in this program as patients receive a personal health analysis, at no cost to the patient, from which goals and an action plan for change is developed.
“The INTERxVENT program creates a unique opportunity to personalize health care which can make efforts to improve health more relevant, meaningful and lasting,” says Bull.

Saul Quint, CEO of INTERxVENT Canada, believes this program will be an asset to the health professionals in the care they provide to their patients.
“We are excited to be partnering with the WBPCN, the first Primary Care Network in Alberta. This type of program implementation highlights the commitment the WBPCN has to improving health outcomes in this community to all patients living with chronic disease,” says Quint.

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For media inquiries, contact:
Rebecca Dunne
PCN Communications
T. 780.793.7202

“With a global focus on spiraling healthcare costs, all countries are now seriously embracing wellness and preventative programs to contain costs and better manage chronic conditions that accompany longevity,” said Dr. David Alter, Chief Scientific Officer, INTER_xVENT Canada. “Over ninety-five percent of worldwide healthcare costs are spent on treating illness. There is no doubt that there is overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the social, economic and health benefits of prevention over cure.”

“The scientifically validated platform has been developed over more than a decade and is actively being rolled out, customized and applied across a range of corporations in Canada, the USA and internationally,” said Dr. Saul Quint, Chief Executive Officer, INTER_xVENT Canada. “Healthier employees unequivocally translate into lower healthcare costs, higher productivity and an overall better quality of life.”

Centric Health, through Alegro Health Partners, will make a mandatorily convertible loan of $2 million to INTER_xVENT Canada during 2010 and 2011 subject to certain terms and milestones. Absent an event of default, conversion will result in Centric Health owning between a minimum of 20% and a maximum of 32% of the fully diluted shares of INTER_xVENT Canada linked to it achieving an EBITDA of $2 million for the financial year ending December 31, 2011. As a condition of this alliance, key INTER_xVENT Canada management and existing shareholders will invest a further $500,000 on the same terms and conditions. In addition, current INTER_xVENT Canada shareholders will be granted a total of one million Centric Health Warrants exercisable over a five year period subject to certain performance criteria. While the organizations are already working together, the effective date of the transaction will be January 4, 2010, subject to certain conditions precedent and milestones being achieved.

“The market for health and wellness programs is currently estimated at $1.2 billion in Canada alone, and is expected to double in the next three to five years,” said Dr. Jack Shevel, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Centric Health. “This transaction complements and benefits Centric Health’s expansion strategy to establish MultiCare Centres and other business units in partnership with healthcare professionals, thereby offering our patients a quality lifestyle.”