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.
The New England Rural Health Association developed a COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging Campaign to help improve vaccination rates in our states and communities. Materials These materials focus on the business community and parents to encourage vaccinating their eligible children.
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 …
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 …
Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Confronting Health Misinformation on COVID-19 Vaccine Read More »
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 …
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 31st Anniversary Read More »
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 …
Announcement is the first in a series of regulations aimed at shielding patients from increased financial hardships stemming from surprise medical bills CMS – July 2, 2021 | Today, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury, and the Office of Personnel Management, issued “Requirements Related to …
HHS Announces Rule to Protect Consumers from Surprise Medical Bills Read More »
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 …
June 28, 11AM–12PM EDT Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in hospital safety and quality outcomes demonstrate that care is not equitable across all populations. Person and Family Engagement (PFE) is central to the HQIC and is recognized as a promising mechanism to aid in achieving equity in both quality and safety. However, some populations may …
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, …
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 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 …
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 National Quality Forum’s (NQF) Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) Call for Nominations for organizations and individual subject matter experts is open. The MAP is a public-private partnership convened by NQF, funded by a contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to provide input to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the selection of performance …
NQF’s Measure Applications Partnership Call for Nominations Now Open Through May 6 Read More »
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 …
It is so great that your mom, dad, or other loved ones have received their COVID-19 vaccine. This is an important step towards protecting their health, achieving herd immunity and returning to normal life. Both the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize the importance of visiting your …
Mom’s Vaccinated: When can I visit her nursing home? 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 …
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 »
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 …
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 Rhode Island Department of Health developed the COVID-19 Close Contact Quarantine Calculator to help you determine how long to remain in quarantine after exposure. What dose close contact mean? A close contact is someone who has been within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for a combined total of 15 minutes or more in …
Hi Rhode Islanders, have you had close contact with someone infected with COVID-19? 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 …
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 »
This national awareness week focuses on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination. The IPRO QIN-QIO raises awareness about flu risks and encourages everyone to protect themselves and their communities by getting vaccinated—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that during last year’s (2018-19) flu season: 35.5 million people …
National Influenza Vaccination Week: December 6-12, 2020 Read More »
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor those who provide care for their family members and to raise awareness about caregiving needs and challenges. According to the AARP, about one in every five people in the United States cares for an elder or family member with disabilities, and that rate is higher …
CMS will retire the original Compare Tools on December 1. Use Medicare.gov’s Care Compare to find and compare health care providers. In early September, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released Care Compare on Medicare.gov, which streamlines our eight original health care compare tools. Since then, you’ve had the opportunity to use and …
CMS Will Retire the Original Compare Tools on December 1 Read More »
This annual observance highlights necessary steps everyone should take to improve antibiotic prescribing and use. Antibiotics save lives, but any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and lead to antibiotic resistance. In U.S. doctors’ offices and emergency departments, at least 47 million antibiotic prescriptions each year are unnecessary, which makes improving antibiotic …
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week: November 18-24, 2020 Read More »
34 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 3 of them also has chronic kidney disease. Once your kidneys have been damaged by diabetes, they cannot be cured. November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and today is World Diabetes Day, making now the perfect time to learn how you can prevent diabetic kidney disease or …
Know the connection between Diabetes and Kidney Disease Read More »
Every November, American Diabetes Month is observed to sound the alarm about the diabetes epidemic. The IPRO QIN-QIO works to raise awareness about diabetes, honor those that are affected, and correct myths and misunderstandings surrounding the disease. Check out these resources:
National Family Caregivers Month, celebrated each November, is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. In November, the IPRO QIN-QIO is celebrating the efforts of family caregivers, supporting stronger relationships with loved ones, and raising awareness of the role that family caregivers play in the care of aging relatives and those …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging everyone to roll their sleeve up for the annual influenza vaccine. By continuing to wear a mask, washing hands often, and getting a flu vaccine, we can help stop the spread of flu viruses. Everyone aged 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine. Join …
October 30, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new online platform – the Nursing Home Resource Center – to serve as a centralized hub bringing together the latest information, guidance and data on nursing homes that is important to facilities, frontline providers, residents and their families, especially as the …
CMS’ New One-Stop Nursing Home Resource Center Assists Providers, Caregivers, Residents Read More »
Improve Health Equity During Hispanic Heritage Month From September 15 – October 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH), along with the IPRO QIN-QIO, honors National Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, CMS OMH is prioritizing health for the nation’s 60 million Hispanics by encouraging annual flu shots and …
Hispanic Heritage Month: Resources for Patients, Families, & Caregivers Read More »
October is National Residents’ Rights Month, an annual event recognizing the respect, dignity and rights to which all residents of long-term care facilities are entitled. The IPRO QIN-QIO is honoring this month by promoting person-centered care and residents’ rights. Check out these resources:
September is National Recovery Month. This national observance is dedicated to helping those with a mental or substance use disorder to live a healthy life through education. Supports like substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental or substance use disorder to live a rewarding life. The IPRO QIN-QIO is …
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services (CMS) wants to remind people with Medicare that the program covers mental health services to support them during these stressful times including: Telehealth counseling services during the COVID-19 public health emergency – learn more here: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth Other outpatient mental health services, …
