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 …
CDC’s Public Health Matters: Overdose Prevention Read More »
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 …
June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month Read More »
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
IPRO QIN-QIO Video: COVID-19 Vaccine Success in a Nursing Home Case Study Read More »
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.
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 …
16th Annual National Conference on Anticoagulation Therapy Read More »
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 …
Call for Stories: IDEA Initiative Structural Racism & Health Disparities Read More »
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 …
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 …
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Read More »
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 …
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 …
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 …
May’s Older Americans Month: Communities of Strength Read More »
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
HHS’s We Can Do This: Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Read More »
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 …
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 …
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 …
FDA Encourages Americans to Dispose of Unused Prescription Opioids Safely Read More »
Are you #VaccineReady?
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 …
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 …
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 …
New CMS OMH COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Vulnerable Populations Webpage Read More »
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 …
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 …
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 …
Drop in Life Expectancy, Vaccine Access & Devastating Winter Storm Read More »
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 …
CMS Resources for the Emergency Preparedness Rule Read More »
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: …
Million Hearts® and CDC COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease Partner Toolkit Read More »
Learn More Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Rx Awareness campaign to discover how you can support opioid prevention efforts.
Patient Safety Awareness Week both acknowledges and celebrates improved safety and care practices throughout all healthcare settings. Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. The World Health Organization estimates that health care errors impact one in every 10 patients globally. We are part of a national effort working to …
Patient Safety Awareness Week: March 14–20, 2021 Read More »
Patient Safety Awareness Week is March 14–20, 2021 Patient Safety Awareness Week both acknowledges and celebrates improved safety and care throughout the health system. Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. The World Health Organization estimates that health care errors impact one in every 10 patients globally. We are …
Encouraging Improved Patient Safety Practices and Celebrating Successes Read More »
Each March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month. It’s a great time to discover and make informed food choices. Health eating can mean different things as we age. We need fewer calories, and are ability to absorb certain nutrients is reduced, especially among those with chronic health conditions. That means it’s important to choose foods that …
Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) this February as it recognizes American Heart Month and Black History Month by helping those affected by heart disease take steps toward better health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most racial and ethnic groups in …
Highlighting Health Disparities During American Heart Month and Black History Month Read More »
Raising awareness about heart health and encouraging healthy lifestyles to prevent heart disease.
February is African American History Month, which sheds light on African American culture and health. Heart disease, diabetes, and stroke affect people of all ethnicities. However, certain groups—including African Americans and older individuals—are at greater risk. Knowing more about family health histories and the early detection of predisposed health conditions helps support prevention efforts, effective …
Stay up-to-date on new resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and local health departments. Topics covered include COVID-19 communication toolkits, COVID-19 vaccine resources, and more.
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? Biden Takes Action to Advance Racial Equity & Support Underserved Communities HHS Proposed Modification to HIPAA Privacy Rule will Help Address SDOH Large Majority of Doctors Hold Misconceptions about …
This Learning Toolbox focuses on cultural and linguistic competency and their importance for helping to eliminate disparities in the delivery of quality healthcare. The Toolbox includes a quick primer, and provides useful links to articles, tools, and resources. Quick Primer What is cultural and linguistic competency? Cultural and linguistic competency in healthcare refers to the …
This Learning Toolbox focuses on health literacy as an important determinant of health equity and outcomes. It includes a quick primer on health literacy, and provides links to articles, tools, and resources to improve the health literacy of organizations and patients. Quick Primer What is health literacy? Health literacy is commonly defined as “the degree …
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? AHRQ 2019 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report HHS OMH Announces New Initiative to Address Hypertension New E&M Coding Guidelines Account for Patients’ Social Risks New CMS Organ Donation …
This monthly health observance highlights the importance of educating others on glaucoma. According to the National Eye Institute, over three million people in the United States have glaucoma. This number is projected to reach 4.2 million by 2030 – a 58% increase. As we age, we are at greater risk for developing eye diseases. The …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a new web-on-demand, self-paced training module for healthcare providers who will be administering Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This module will provide information on storage, handling, preparation, administration, and documentation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Continuing education will be available for this module. For more information, go to …
CDC Immunization Courses: Webcasts and Self Study Read More »
CMS Update | December 16, 2020 – You can use this Special Enrollment Period only once between December 8 and November 30. If a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare drug plan, or Medicare Cost Plan with a 5-star rating is available in your area, you can use the 5-star Special Enrollment Period to switch from your …
With winter weather comes messy walkways and debris. Add in health conditions and you’ve got yourself one hazardous situation. These conditions lead to loss of balance, mobility, and strength for seniors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in …
It’s more important than ever for everyone to do their part to help prevent the spread of illnesses like the flu. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people are getting vaccines which puts their communities at greater risk for other preventable diseases, like the flu. When people get the flu shot, it helps protect them and …
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? Mapping Racial and Ethnic Inequities in Health and Opportunity Mobile Apps for mHealth and People with Disabilities Health Literacy as a Social Driver of Poor Health Outcomes Whole-of-Government Response …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the 2019 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report. The report shows that the U.S. has continued to make significant reductions in several types of HAIs – notably, about an 18% decrease in hospital onset Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infections in acute care hospitals — …
2019 National and State HAI Progress Report: HAI Prevention Possible Read More »
According to a report from Trust for America’s Health, the U.S. obesity rate for adults reached 42.4% in 2020, the highest ever recorded, and is based on data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The report notes that the national obesity rate has increased by 26% since 2008. Food insecurity due …
A new report published November in the Lancet found that those who have had COVID-19 are likely to develop anxiety, depression, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within 90 days of recovery. The lack of contact with family members and loved ones during quarantine and hospital stays can produce psychological instability. Reports of PTSD symptoms …
Report: 20% of COVID Patients Develop Mental Health Issues Read More »
The American Heart Association (AHA) recently issued a policy statement in Circulation calling out structural racism as a major driver of health disparities in the U.S. The AHA acknowledged that while it had previously published statements addressing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk and disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., those statements had not …
Policy Statement: AHA Recognizes Structural Racism as a Driver of Health Disparities Read More »
A report by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) states that despite significant increases in funding and beds, overall homelessness has been increasing in the U.S. In just five years (2014-2019), unsheltered homelessness increased by 20.5%, and has become a national crisis. In 2020, Congress appropriated over $6.6 billion for targeted homelessness assistance …
Article: Whole-of-Government Response to Homelessness in the U.S. Read More »
Health literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use health information to make decisions about one’s health. People with low health literacy have increased mortality, worse health outcomes, are less engaged in their care, use the emergency room more often, and have higher avoidable healthcare expenditures. In this article, Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD – a …
Article: Health Literacy Should Be Valued as a Social Driver of Poor Health Outcomes Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new toolkit designed for state Medicaid agencies to strengthen infrastructure and develop robust home and community-based services (HCBS) for eligible beneficiaries. The toolkit highlights promising state models and practices for strengthening state infrastructure to increase transitions from institutional settings to community-based settings; prevent or delay …
Resource: CMS Home and Community-Based Services Toolkit Read More »
A conference paper presented at the International Conference on Computers Helping People describes data and analysis on the use and unmet needs of mHealth mobile apps by people with disabilities in the U.S. The paper focuses on several key areas related to user experience in order to map the behavior, interests and needs of people …
Article: Mobile Apps for mHealth and People with Disabilities Read More »
A new interactive mapping tool, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, allows users to view and compare data on a range of indicators for each state and for six racial and ethnic groups. The tool uses data aggregated by the Health Opportunity and Equity (HOPE) Initiative. According to their website, HOPE “provides an …
New Tool: Mapping Racial and Ethnic Inequities in Health and Opportunity Read More »
Clean hands save lives! This awareness week highlights the importance of handwashing—one of the most effective and simple ways to prevent viral infections and improve health outcomes. December is a busy time for most people. Between the abrupt changes in weather, holiday gatherings, and the end-of-year rush, it is easy for immune systems to be …
National Handwashing Awareness Week: December 6-12, 2020 Read More »
