Health Equity Updates: December Newsletter
View the latest health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your communities.
Materials & News
Be Antibiotics Aware: U.S. Antibiotics Awareness Week, November 18-24 2021
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is an annual one-week observance that gives organizations like ours an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of appropriate antibiotic use to combat the threat of antibiotic resistance. Learn online & earn free continuing education credits November 17, 1 PM: APHL – Superbugs and Changing Drugs: Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms November 18, …
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Health Equity Hospital Highlights: November Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? November is National Diabetes Month November 18 is National Rural Health Day Return on Investment (ROI) Calculator for Partnerships to Address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) CDC …
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Health Equity Updates: November Newsletter
View the latest health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your organization and communities. What’s Inside? Overdiagnosis of Schizophrenia for Residents of Nursing Homes Tenant-Based Housing Voucher Programs Advance Health Equity CMS Innovation Center Launches Bold New Strategy to Achieve Equitable Outcomes HHS COVID-19 Health Equity …
Health Equity Hospital Highlights: October Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? New Data Highlight on Z Codes Now Available Medicare Advantage (MA) Report : Disparities in Health Care in MedicareAdvantage Associated with Dual Eligibility or Eligibility for a Low-Income …
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IPRO QIN-QIO Presents: 30-Minute Vaccine Huddle for Nursing Homes, Oct. 19, 2021, 12 PM
Join our 30-minute vaccine huddle meeting, to discuss optimizing influenza and COVID-19 booster dosing this Fall. Learn more about: Vaccine screening upon admission Administration of influenze, COVID-19 vaccines Fast facts about influenza and COVID-19 booster
Health Equity Updates: October Newsletter
View the latest health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? An Equity Agenda for the Field of Health Care Quality Improvement The Study to Promote Innovation in Rural Integrated Telepsychiatry Legislation Introduced for Medicare Pilot Program for Medically-Tailored Meals …
Get Involved with Falls Prevention Awareness Week
View Resources from the Maine Falls Prevention Coalition The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of things. One thing that’s still the same? Falling is NOT a normal part of aging. The Maine Falls Prevention Coalition is committed to empowering all older adults throughout Maine to age well, and that includes avoiding falls. On September …
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CMS OMH Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
During September, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month and the unique health care disparities that impact this population. As the largest minority population in the U.S., Hispanics comprise more than 18% of the total population in the U.S. In addition to being the …
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Health Equity Updates: September Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? Communicating About FDA Approval to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Biden-Harris Administration Invest over $19 Million to Expand Telehealth in Rural & Underserved Areas Bringing Heat & Light: A …
IPRO QIN-QIO Video Series: Nursing Home Naloxone Best Practices
Our team of experts dedicated to Improving Behavioral Health and Appropriate Opioid Use meet regularly with health providers in our 11 states and the District of Columbia, to share and learn best practices for Opioid Use and Pain Management in their care settings. View the full webinar to learn more. Part 1: American Society of …
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New Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index Website
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would like to share this announcement from our colleagues in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the HHS Office of Minority Health (HHS OMH) developed the Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to enhance existing resources …
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Health Equity Hospital Highlights: August Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? CDC and OMH Partner to Launch the Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index Rural Crosswalk: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 (Updated) AHIMA releases Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) White …
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Get Vaccinated During National Immunization Awareness Month
This August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is recognizing National Immunization Awareness Month and encouraging you to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination rates for preventable diseases like pnemococcal pneumonia, flu, and hepatitis B have declined, …
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COVID-19 Variants
The Delta Variant It appears to be more contagious than other strains. Unvaccinated individuals are at greatest risk, some communities are encouraged to resume social distancing and masking precautions, and vaccination is still our best defense.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
Get back on track with routine vaccinations This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. We know the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of life, including your ability to attend important appointments and receive routine vaccinations. During August, we encourage you to talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare professional …
Get your patients back on track with routine vaccinations.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the efforts of healthcare professionals to protect patients of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of life, including patients’ ability to attend important appointments and receive routine vaccinations. Many patients had to postpone or cancel appointments and …
Get your patients back on track with routine vaccinations. Read More »
Health Equity Updates: August Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? America’s Health Rankings Inaugural Health Disparities Report CMS Proposes Changes to Reduce Disparities among Patients with CKD and ESRD CMS Proposes Physician Rule to Improve Health Equity & …
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Changes Proposed
On July 13, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Calendar Year (CY) 2022 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule, which proposed changes to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) expanded model intended to boost supplier enrollment, with a goal of increasing beneficiary participation and access to services that can help …
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Pathways to Safer Opioid Use: Interactive Training
This interactive training promotes the appropriate, safe, and effective use of opioids to manage chronic pain. This training is based on the opioid-related recommendations in the National Action Plan for Adverse Drug Event Prevention (ADE Action Plan) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP).
Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Confronting Health Misinformation on COVID-19 Vaccine
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued the first Surgeon General’s Advisory of this Administration to warn the public about the urgent threat of health misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This advisory outlines how the public can confront health misinformation by helping individuals, families and communities better identify and limit its spread. The advisory also …
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AHRQ Toolkit for Preventing Pressure Ulcers in Hospitals
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) created this toolkit to assist hospital staff in implementing effective pressure ulcer prevention practices through an interdisciplinary approach to care. Each year, more than 2.5 million people in the United States develop pressure ulcers. These skin lesions bring pain, associated risk for serious infection and increased health …
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CMS NQIIC 2020 Annual Report: Confronting the Pandemic Together
As a valued partner in IPRO QIN-QIO’s quality improvement activities, we are pleased to share with you the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors (NQIIC) 2020 Annual Report: Confronting the Pandemic Together. The Annual Report highlights the COVID-19 response in nursing homes by Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement …
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 31st Anniversary
July 26, 2021 is the 31st anniversary of the day the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. We’re raising awareness about …
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July is BIPOC Mental Health Month
For historically marginalized communities, traditional systems of care may overlook cultural and historical factors that impede BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of color) mental health. Community care, self-directed care, and culturally-based practices are all valid and valuable choices people can make for their mental health – but they may not be aware of these …
IPRO QIN-QIO Video Series: Value in Vaccination
Vaccines save lives, but we all have our own reasons for getting vaccinated. The IPRO QIN-QIO introduces a Value in Vaccination Video Series, designed for interactive conversations about getting vaccinated. The IPRO QIN-QIO also created companion conversation guides to help encourage discussion about the theme of each video. Part 1 Theme: Getting Information The theme …
Health Equity Hospital Highlights: July Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month! Building an Organizational Response to Health Disparities: Resources for Standardized Demographic and Language Data Collection Community of Practice: Preventing and Reducing the …
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Health Equity Updates: July Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? HHS Awards $250M to Fight COVID-19 and Improve Health Literacy A New Guide on Universal Screening for Health-Related Social Needs VacciNATION: Inspiring Stories on the National COVID-19 Vaccine …
CDC’s Public Health Matters: Overdose Prevention
June 11, 2021 A Shared Approach to Preventing Opioid Overdoses As the opioid overdose epidemic worsens, there are specific actions that we can all take to make a difference and potentially save lives. Save a Life – #PrepYourHealth It can be difficult to tell if a person has overdosed on opioids. When in doubt, treat …
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June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month
In recognition of June as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) released new resources to help educate the public. NIMH will also host a livestream event on June 17 from 2-2:30 p.m., featuring NIMH-funded researcher Barbara Rothbaum, Ph.D., ABPP, professor of psychiatry and associate vice chair of clinical research at …
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LGBTQ+ Week of Action
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is continuing to promote Weeks of Action! Each week will focus on engaging a targeted population to encourage action to come to HealthCare.gov during the Special Enrollment Period and enroll in coverage or potentially take advantage of more cost savings. June Health Observances June is Pride Month, …
Health Equity Hospital Highlights: June Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? The American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity released toolkits to support hospitals with health equity tactics Rural/CAH Corner COVID 19 Vaccines and Racial and Ethnic …
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Celebrate Pride with CMS OMH
June is Pride Month, a time for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons and recognize their unique health needs. LGBTQ+ persons are comprised of a multitude of groups that have their own unique health needs. Transgender individuals, for …
Health Equity Hospital Highlights: May Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? Importance of Infrastructure within Hospitals to Assess and Address Health Equity CMS Proposes to Enhance the Medical Workforce in Rural and Underserved Communities Asian American and Pacific Islander …
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Health Equity Updates: June Newsletter
Check out the latest health equity news, health observances, events, and resources supporting the IPRO QIN-QIO efforts to eliminate health disparities for Medicare beneficiaries. What’s inside? New Health Equity Tracker Released Featured Health Equity News The Conversation / La Conversación Become a Part of the Expanded COVID-19 Vaccine Workforce Medicaid and Rural Health Pain in …
IPRO QIN-QIO Video: COVID-19 Vaccine Success in a Nursing Home Case Study
The IPRO QIN-QIO’s team of quality improvement experts is committed to supporting nursing homes with COVID-19 vaccination rates across our region. This video features a nursing home administrator’s approach to dealing with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the nursing home. For More Information Check out the CDC tools our speakers used to inform their strategies: Building …
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IPRO QIN-QIO Video: Simplify Pneumonia Vaccine Recommendations
The IPRO QIN-QIO’s team of quality improvement experts is committed to supporting clinicians in improving vaccination rates across our region. This video provides clinicians with a step-by-step guide to using the CDC’s Pneumo Recs Vax Advisor application as a tool to simplify the decision about which pneumonia vaccine is most appropriate for each patient.
16th Annual National Conference on Anticoagulation Therapy
Deadline: June 10, 2021 Scholarship & Abstract Awards Scholarships are now available for the Anticoagulation Forum’s 16th National Conference, which will be held in-person in San Francisco, CA from October 28-30, 2021, as well as broadcast virtually. This forum provides the largest venue for open discussion and education on advances in anticoagulant therapy and improved …
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Call for Stories: IDEA Initiative Structural Racism & Health Disparities
Deadline: May 19, 2021 The Anticoagulation Forum’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA) Initiative is developing a multi-part webinar series to highlight the critical topic of structural racism and health disparities. We are seeking both providers and patients to share their experiences on how racism has impacted them asthey sought or provided healthcare. If you …
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Health Equity Updates: May Newsletter
Check out the latest health equity news, health observances, events, and resources supporting the IPRO QIN-QIO efforts to eliminate health disparities for Medicare beneficiaries. What’s inside? Devastating Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Limited Progress in Increasing Proportion of Black Physicians HHS Releases New Buprenorphine Practice Guidelines CMS Proposes to Enhance the Medical …
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
During May, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as part of our commitment to understanding the health needs of this diverse population. Included in the Asians and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders (Asian and NHOPI) population is a wide variety of …
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May’s Older Americans Month: Communities of Strength
In tough times, communities find strength in people—and people find strength in their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen friends, neighbors, and businesses discover new ways to support each other. In our communities, older adults are a key source of this strength. Through their experiences, successes, and difficulties, they built resilience that helps them …
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National High Blood Pressure Education Month
In the United States, nearly 68 million people have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Hypertension increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States. We’re promoting heart health along with being proactive with seeking treatment for high blood pressure. Check out these resources …
May’s National Stroke Awareness Month
Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. Did you know that strokes are preventable? It’s important to live a healthy lifestyle, to help control certain health conditions that can raise the risk for a stroke. Check out these resources to …
Healthcare Triage 6-Part Video Series
In a new Healthcare Triage YouTube series, funded by NIHCM Foundation, Dr. Aaron Carroll explains the history of vaccines and vaccine development–one of the greatest public health achievements of all time–in six short, consumer-friendly videos covering: the timeline of COVID-19 vaccine development and the mRNA vaccine approach the history of anti-vaccine sentiments, vaccine legislation, and societal …
COVID-19 and Brain Health
The Global Council on Brain Health’s report, COVID-19 and Brain Health (PDF), recommends steps to safeguard brain health in adults ages 50 and older, especially during the pandemic. According to the report, research shows that people living with dementia are twice as likely to get COVID-19, and their caregivers are experiencing additional stress amid the …
CMS is Simplifying Telehealth Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released new telehealth resources to further support health care providers and patients during the pandemic, as they continue to adjust to virtual appointments and services. To help make virtual care as seamless as possible, these resources include instructions for providers and shareable information in a variety of …
HHS’s We Can Do This: Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence
The HHS COVID-19 public education campaign is a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures such as mask wearing and social distancing. Through a nationwide network of trusted messengers and consistent, fact-based public health messaging, the campaign helps the public make informed decisions about their …
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CDC: How to Enroll as a COVID-19 Vaccinator
CDC’s new web page reviews information and training on how to enroll as a COVID-19 vaccinator CDC posted a new web page, How to Enroll as a Healthcare Provider, for providers seeking to become COVID-19 vaccinators. This web page contains the information on how to become a COVID-19 vaccinator, and the training and resources available to …
Health Equity Updates: April Newsletter
Check out the latest health equity news, health observances, events, and resources supporting the IPRO QIN-QIO efforts to eliminate health disparities for Medicare beneficiaries. What’s inside? April: National Minority Health Month Large Federal Investments to Build Vaccine Confidence and Uptake Hospitalized Black Patients at Higher Risk for Poor Safety Outcomes Updating Health Literacy for Health …
FDA Encourages Americans to Dispose of Unused Prescription Opioids Safely
More than 100 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, and millions are addicted to opioids. Proper disposal of unused or expired opioids can help save lives. Remove the Risk The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched Remove the Risk, an education and outreach campaign to raise awareness about the serious risks of keeping …
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April is National Minority Health Month
Are you #VaccineReady?
How can I improve my sleep hygiene?
One of the most important sleep hygiene practices is to spend an appropriate amount of time asleep in bed, not too little or too excessive. Sleep needs vary across ages and are especially impacted by lifestyle and health. However, there are recommendations that can guide how much sleep you need generally. Other good sleep hygiene …
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program
Grant Opportunity: FR-6400-N-69 Application deadline: May 4, 2021 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes announced $30 million in grant funds and training resources to non-federal entities to establish the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program. The grant program will assist experienced nonprofits, state and local …
New CMS OMH COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Vulnerable Populations Webpage
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted minority and vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 vaccine can reduce the spread of the virus and help end the public health emergency. Community partners working with racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people with limited English proficiency, sexual and gender minorities, and rural populations are critical in helping consumers …
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March is National Kidney Month
March is National Kidney Month, a time to raise awareness about kidney disease. This year’s focus is on taking charge of your health and the many factors that go into managing your kidney disease. Learn more about Medicare’s coverage of kidney dialysis and kidney transplant services: Medicare.gov: I have End-Stage Renal Disease Medicare Coverage of …
CDC Celebrates Women’s History Month
Women’s Role in Health Literacy March is Women’s History Month, a perfect time to highlight Dr. Ruth Parker. Not only is she nationally recognized for her health literacy research, teaching, and advocacy, but she’s a professor of medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine and a professor of epidemiology at the Emory University Rollins …
Drop in Life Expectancy, Vaccine Access & Devastating Winter Storm
Check out the March Population Health Spotlight newsletter from the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation In this edition, learn more about the latest news and resources on COVID-19, including the drop in life expectancy, vaccine access and the impact of new variants, as well as new initiatives for supporting vulnerable communities. Highlights …
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CMS Resources for the Emergency Preparedness Rule
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of updated emergency response plans. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) compiled a list of resources to assist state survey agencies; state, tribal, regional and local emergency management partners; and healthcare providers in developing emergency plans that are compliant with the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule. Highlighted Resources …
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Million Hearts® and CDC COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease Partner Toolkit
A year of missed preventive care is endangering minority communities. And people with serious heart conditions are at higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19. In response, Million Hearts® and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed a digital media toolkit to encourage people to continue their preventive cardiovascular care. The Toolkit includes: …
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