Country Legend Naomi Judd Joins 'Partners Against Pain'

Country Legend Naomi Judd Joins 'Partners Against Pain'

Music Icon Takes on Serious Public Health Issue Facing Millions

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Singer, songwriter, and patient advocate Naomi Judd is speaking up for those struggling with chronic pain -- a devastating condition that affects more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Judd is lending her voice to the national education program Partners Against Pain (www.partnersagainstpain.com) to raise awareness about the urgent need to address untreated and undertreated pain in America.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090825/NY65806 )

As a former nurse, Judd knows that chronic pain can wreak havoc on a person's mind, body and spirit. In her personal life, she has seen how it affected a close friend who suffered excruciating pain from terminal pancreatic cancer.

"Pain robs people of their lives. It can interfere with everyday activities that most of us take for granted, like going to work, driving a car, or even hugging your children," says Judd. "That's why I'm speaking out -- pain can and should be treated."

Even though it affects an estimated 76 million people and is the most common reason people seek medical care, pain is often misunderstood by patients and healthcare professionals alike.

"If pain isn't diagnosed and treated adequately, it can lead to complications such as reduced function and mobility, a weakened immune system, as well as anxiety and depression," says Gerald Q. Greenfield, MD, president of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Pain Management, a professional organization dedicated to promoting an integrative approach to pain management.

PartnersAgainstPain.com offers a wide array of information and resources to help people with pain, their caregivers and healthcare professionals better understand and manage the condition. The site has information about various pain conditions including arthritis and cancer, as well as pain assessment and measurement tools, and links to pain education and advocacy groups.

About Partners Against Pain

Partners Against Pain (www.partnersagainstpain.com) is a national education program provided by Purdue Pharma L.P. The program aims to helps patients, caregivers, and health care professionals alleviate unnecessary suffering by advancing standards of pain care through education and advocacy.

About Purdue

Purdue Pharma L.P. and its associated U.S. companies are privately-held pharmaceutical companies known for pioneering research on persistent pain. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Purdue is engaged in the research, development, production, and distribution of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines and hospital products. Additional information about Purdue can be found at www.purduepharma.com.

About the American Academy of Pain Management

The American Academy of Pain Management (the Academy) is dedicated to promoting an integrative approach to pain management -- one that brings together conventional treatment and a wide range of complementary and alternative approaches. Founded in 1988, the Academy has 5,000 members and is the largest professional pain management organization in the nation. For more information, visit www.aapainmanage.org.

CONTACT:
Libby Holman
Purdue Pharma
(203) 588-7670

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090825/NY65806
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN5
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Purdue Pharma L.P.

CONTACT: Libby Holman, Purdue Pharma, +1-203-588-7670

Web Site: http://www.purduepharma.com/

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