Conference addresses chronic illness, transition from childhood to adulthood

HOUSTON -- (October 29, 2009) -- When dealing with a chronic illness, the transition from childhood to adulthood has unique challenges. To address these issues, national and international experts will gather in Houston for the 10th annual conference on Chronic Disease and Disability: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care.

The conference, presented by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau-funded Leadership Education in Adolescent Health Training Program in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, will take place Nov. 5-6 in the Texas Medical Center.

"The conference creates a forum for youth and young adults with chronic illness and disabilities and their families, and local and national experts to come together and discuss the how to make the transition from pediatric to adult-based care a more successful process," said Dr. Albert Hergenroeder, professor of pediatrics – adolescent medicine and sports medicine at BCM and program director for the conference. The conference has become one of the leading conferences on this area in the United States.

Clinical, policy, legal, research, advocacy and family member experts will participate in the presentations and dialogues about how to best plan for a successful transition into adulthood. Topics include legal, insurance, medical and political issues.

A grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services will provide scholarships to over 50 youth/families to attend the conference. For more information, call 713-798-8273 or visit Baylor CME.