Addressing the epidemic of preventable chronic diseases is amongst the greatest challenges to our nation’s health and economy. Despite advances in therapeutics, the burden of co-morbid chronic diseases, such as obesity and type II diabetes, continues to grow and falls disproportionately on vulnerable populations.{Levine, 2011 #227} The Chronic Care Model recognizes that effective prevention and management of a chronic illness requires that patients be empowered and engaged in their health self-management and health care.{Wagner, 2001 #289;Wagner, 1996 #290} Primary care clinicians must balance the goal of quality improvement and population health management within the financial constraints of a fee-for-service reimbursement model which limits
