Category: Health Care

Highlighting Disparities During National Men’s Health Month

June 5, 2023

Highlighting Disparities During National Men’s Health Month

During June, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is recognizing National Men’s Health Month by encouraging men from populations that are underserved to prioritize their health and well-being.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, accounting for 1 in every 4 male deaths. Among Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries, men had a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease (32.3%) than women (22.2%) in 2018. Men from minority populations are often disproportionately affected by heart disease and many of its risk factors, including high blood pressure. According to the CDC, hypertension was more common in Black (58.4%), Asian (51.9%), Hispanic and Latino (50.4%) men from 2015-2018 compared to White men (49.8%). Racial disparities are prevalent not only in heart disease, but also in prostate cancer, which is the second-leading cause of cancer death among males. In 2019, Black men had the highest rate of new cancer diagnoses, followed by White, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Asian and Pacific Islander men.

In addition to promoting men’s physical health this month, CMS OMH is highlighting the importance of men’s mental health. Since men are far less likely to seek mental health treatment than women due to stigma, their mental health concerns often go untreated. In 2021, the suicide rate among males was approximately four times higher than the rate among females. Though men make up 50% of the U.S. population, they represent nearly 80% of suicides.

National Men’s Health Month allows CMS OMH an opportunity to highlight racial and ethnic disparities in men’s health as well as the importance of physical and mental well-being for men of all backgrounds. We encourage you to share the below resources with the men in your community to help them take control of their health this month and all year.

Resources:

Disparities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage Associated with Dual Eligibility for a Low-Income Subsidy and Disability Stratified Report

May 23, 2023

Disparities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage Associated with Dual Eligibility for a Low-Income Subsidy and Disability Stratified Report

The Centers for Medicaid Services” Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) released a report detailing the quality of care received by people enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA).

The Disparities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage Associated with Dual Eligibility or Eligibility for a Low-Income Subsidy and Disability report presents summary information on the performance of Medicare Advantage plans on specific measures of quality of health care reported in 2021, which corresponds to care received in 2020. Specifically, this report compares the quality of care for four groups of Medicare Advantage enrollees that are defined based on the combination of two characteristics: (1) dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid or eligibility for a Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) and (2) disability.

Overall, the report showed that people who were dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid or eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy received worse clinical care than those who were not. The largest differences between the two groups were in the areas of Follow-up After Hospital Stay for Mental Illness (within 30 days of discharge), Avoiding Potentially Harmful Drug-Disease Interactions in Elderly Patients with Dementia, and Avoiding Potentially Harmful Drug-Disease Interactions in Elderly Patients with a History of Falls. Disparities by dual eligibility status/Low-Income Subsidy eligibility status were least common among Hispanic individuals and most common among White individuals. The report also shows more pronounced disparities in clinical care for dually eligible/Low-Income Subsidy eligible individuals in urban areas as compared to rural areas.

This report is based on an analysis of data from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). HEDIS collects information from medical records and administrative data on the technical quality of care that Medicare Advantage enrollees receive for a variety of medical issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic lung disease.

Health care professionals, organizations, researchers, and hospital leaders can utilize this report along with other CMS tools and resources to help raise awareness of health disparities, develop health care interventions for Medicare Advantage enrollees who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid/Low- Income Subsidy eligible and those with disabilities, and implement quality improvement efforts that improve health equity.

Help CMS to advance equity by sharing this report and our resources on prevention and health equity initiatives. Also, sign up for CMS’ listserv or visit https://go.cms.gov/omh for more information.

Missouri Telehealth Network

March 21, 2023

The Missouri Telehealth Network’s Show-Me ECHO program builds learning communities of health care professionals who serve patients across Missouri. Show-Me ECHO facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration on topics various topics in adult and child clinical care, behavioral/mental health, community efforts, and education. Project ECHO fundamentally changes the way knowledge is shared to ensure the latest research and best practices reach every citizen in every corner of the state, especially rural and underserved populations.

Through videoconferencing technology, each month, professionals discuss participants’ cases and collaborate to share strategies and solutions. More than 7,500 healthcare professionals have participated over the years in more than 67,000 hours free instruction. There are over 40 different ECHO programs to choose from at no cost to participating sites or individuals. Many ECHOS also provide free continuing education credit for qualifying professionals.

       

         

Register to join the next ECHO session by visiting showmeecho.org.

Health Equity and Childhood Oral Health: Improving Access to Care with Medicaid and CHIP

February 14, 2023

Health Equity and Childhood Oral Health: Improving Access to Care with Medicaid and CHIP

This February, the Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign, an outreach and enrollment initiative that reaches out to families with children and teens eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), is recognizing National Children’s Dental Health Month.

This is an opportune time remind families that Medicaid and CHIP cover children’s dental services, such as teeth cleanings, check-ups, X-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants and fillings.

 

CDC Science Brief – Mpox Brief

February 3, 2023

CDC Science Brief – Mpox Brief

Today, CDC released an updated Science Brief: Detection and Transmission of Mpox Virus. These updates incorporate findings from a growing body of scientific evidence that now show some people can spread mpox virus to others from one to four days before symptoms of mpox appear. This is known as presymptomatic spread. There is currently no evidence showing that people who never develop symptoms have spread mpox virus to someone else.

During the current outbreak, the most common way mpox has spread from person to person is through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids, especially during sexual contact. People infected with mpox virus may be able to spread mpox virus to others for up to two weeks after becoming ill.

In the United States, mpox cases have declined, but it’s still important for people who are eligible to get vaccinated to prevent future cases, especially people in communities disproportionally affected by mpox. Vaccination is an important tool to protect people from mpox and stop the spread of mpox. People who are eligible for mpox vaccination should get two doses for the best protection. The second dose should be given four weeks after the first dose.

Science Brief

How mpox spreads

Health and Human Services Office of Intergovenmental and External Affairs (HHS IEA) mpox Briefing

January 31, 2023

Health and Human Services Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (HHS IEA) mpox Briefing

Please join the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, the White House National mpox Response team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) for a mpox briefing Thursday 2/2 at 2:00 PM ET.

Date: Thursday, February 2
Time: 2:00 PM
Please register using this link. 

NRHA in The News – Children’s hospitals struggle with respiratory illness surge

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – Children’s hospitals struggle with respiratory illness surge

At children’s hospitals across the country, facilities are struggling to cope with limited staff and a surge of respiratory illnesses. Facing shortages of critical care beds, medication, and frontline staff amid the onslaught of RSV, COVID-19, and the flu, hospitals serving Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are collaborating to get children with acute conditions the treatment they need. Additionally, updated antibiotic stewardship requirements come at a vital time, as data show the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased antibiotic use and a backslide in stewardship efforts because of the excess strain the outbreak imposed on hospital resources.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Stakeholder Briefing

December 6, 2022

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Stakeholder Briefing

Please join the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) for a briefing on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) this Wednesday, December 7th at 12:00 PM ET.

Date: Wednesday, December 7
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Please register using this link.

Home Rehab Network: Online Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

November 26, 2022

Home Rehab Network: Online Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Having difficulty breathing?

Shortness of breath with minimal exertion?

Have Cardiac or Lung disease?

Is cardiopulmonary rehab too far or too difficult to get to?

Solution: The Home Rehab Network

410-871-4601

Rehab with results!  Featuring Board-Certified Pulmonologists and Respiratory Therapists.

Exclusively online, right from your home or anywhere.

Full range of rehab without shortcuts; 98% Patient Satisfaction.

Most major insurances taken.

No computer experience required.

We can even give you an electronic device to use.

Alternatively, you can access our video library with hundreds   of videos and useful tips at mynewlungs.com

Take your life back!

The above program information is being forwarded by the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) as a service of this office.  ORHPC does not endorse or recommend any vendor or service. Please review for the appropriate use within your organization.