by Pamela Katz Ressler, RN, MS-PREP, HN-BC, adjunct faculty Pain Research, Education and Policy Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, PREP-Aired blog moderator
On February 2, 2012, at sites around the world, a remarkable documentary will be premiered. LIFE Before Death seeks to raise awareness of the global issue of untreated 
and under-treated pain and the lack of adequate access to palliative care.
Dr. Dan Carr, director and founder of the Pain Research, Education and Policy Program (PREP) within Tufts Public Health recently commented on the selection of the Tufts’ PREP program as one of the U.S. movie screening locations, and global issue of pain relief as a human right. “PREP is honored to be one of the sites at which this remarkable film will be premiered worldwide. Sponsored by international pain relief and anti-cancer organizations, LIFE Before Death presents a moving, sobering and ultimately inspiring picture of courage amidst suffering. Tragically, much of the suffering at the end of life documented in this film in emerging economies is the unnecessary consequence of the unavailability of morphine and other inexpensive, effective medications. In first-world countries, patients are caught within health systems whose major goal is curbing prescription drug abuse. At a time when access to pain control is seen as a human right, this film appropriately pushes us out of our comfort zo
ne”, stated Dr. Carr.
As emphasized by Dr. Carr, the issue of pain control in emerging global economies is immense. Global health organizations have estimated that more than 3.3 million individuals die with untreated moderate or severe pain form cancer and HIV each year (2009 WHO and UN Narcotics Control Board). Advocacy for adequate pain and palliative care is essential, concurred Carol Curtiss, MSN, RN-BC, a palliative care expert and adjunct faculty member of the PREP program. Ms. Curtiss stated, “Unrelieved pain and other distressing symptoms are challenges to quality of life, yet millions of people worldwide do not have access to expert care, basic pain medications and the other essential resources. Through viewing this film, LIFE Before Death, I hope participants will acquire or renew their passion to advocate for changes in policy, education and research that will make access to pain and palliative care a reality for people who experience life-threatening illnesses. For me, this film reaffirms what I’ve learned over the years by working with colleagues in developing countries and in clinical practice here – we have much more work to do to assure that individuals everywhere have the right to effective pain management and palliative care throughout their lives. In the U.S., we are facing difficult times dealing with misuse and diversion of medications. 
We MUST be sure that people with pain have access to evidence-based pain management and palliative care in the U.S. and around the world.”
Join together with clinicians, educators, policy makers, advocates and activists who believe that pain relief is a human right for the Tufts’ PREP screening of LIFE Before Death on Thursday, February 2 from 3:00-5:15 PM at the Wolff Auditorium at Tufts Medical Center. The Tufts’ screening will be introduced by nationally syndicated health columnist, Judy Foreman and followed by a panel discussion with pain and palliative care experts.
