Member News

AHA: American Heart Association Funds Four New Projects to Evaluate the Role of Race in Predicting Heart Disease Risk (4/29) - The American Heart Association provided funding for four new projects focused on evaluating the role of race in predicting the risk of heart disease. These projects aim to address racial disparities in heart health outcomes by examining how factors such as genetics, social determinants, and healthcare access contribute to cardiovascular risks differently across racial and ethnic groups. By analyzing large datasets and implementing community-based approaches, researchers in these projects seek to improve risk prediction models and develop targeted interventions that can reduce heart disease burden among diverse populations.

Administration Updates

HHS: Biden-Harris Administration Invests $105 Million in Community-Based Organizations to Improve Maternal and Infant Health Across the Country (4/29) - HHS announced $105 million in Healthy Start funding to over 100 community-based organizations to improve maternal and infant health, addressing disparities in communities with high maternal and infant mortality rates, with a focus on culturally responsive services and essential social supports, as part of HRSA's Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative, aimed at combating maternal mortality and disparities nationwide.

CMS: Quality in Motion: Acting on the CMS National Quality Strategy (4/29) - The CMS National Quality Strategy (NQS), initiated in 2022, aims to enhance healthcare quality and safety, particularly for underserved communities. Leveraging various tools such as value-based payment programs, health standards, quality measurement, and technical assistance, the strategy seeks to improve care across individuals' lifespans and care settings.

SDoH & Health Equity in the News

NPR: The CDC Says Maternal Mortality Rates in the U.S. Got Better, After a Pandemic Spike (5/2) - The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. improved in 2022 after a spike in 2021, attributed largely to disruptions in care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a rate of 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, although racial disparities persist, as reported by the CDC.

CBS News: Oregon Medicaid Patients Get Air Conditioning, Mini Fridges as Climate Change Drives Health Concerns (4/29) - Oregon is pioneering a program using Medicaid funds to provide air conditioners, air purifiers, and power banks to vulnerable residents, aiming to mitigate the health risks of extreme weather events driven by climate change, thus expanding Medicaid's role into social services. By proactively addressing climate-related health concerns, Oregon seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of such investments in saving lives and taxpayer money, although concerns have been raised about potential duplication of existing services and the allocation of resources.

RevCycle Intelligence: How to Address Health Equity in Alternative Payment Models (4/29) - The article outlines strategies for integrating health equity considerations into alternative payment models (APMs), emphasizing the importance of reducing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. It highlights leveraging data analytics, incentivizing providers, and fostering community partnerships as key tactics to address health equity within APMs effectively.

UPenn: Health Care Algorithms Can Improve or Worsen Racial and Ethnic Disparities (4/25) - The blog discusses how health care algorithms have the potential to either improve or exacerbate racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. It highlights that algorithms used in health care decision-making processes, such as those for risk prediction and resource allocation, can inadvertently perpetuate bias and discrimination if they are not carefully designed and implemented.

Rush University: Rush University Medical Center Opens a Food Pantry Located in the Emergency Department (4/22) - Rush University Medical Center has launched a food pantry in its emergency department to address food insecurity among patients, complementing existing programs like Food is Medicine-Veggie Rx. By integrating social determinants of health screenings and partnering with community organizations, Rush aims to bridge the gap between medical treatment and food insecurity, reflecting its commitment to holistic care and community well-being.

New Research & Reports

KFF: Revisions to Federal Standards for Collecting and Reporting Data on Race and Ethnicity: What are They and Why do They Matter? (4/30) - The revised standards for maintaining federal data on race and ethnicity, effective as of March 28, 2024, aim to address the evolving demographics of the U.S. population, including the growing number of individuals who identify outside of traditional categories. Changes include using a single combined question for race and ethnicity, adding Middle Eastern or North African as a minimum category, and requiring more detailed data collection, reflecting a comprehensive effort to improve the accuracy and usefulness of racial and ethnic data across federal agencies, with future reviews planned to ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

NIH: Pharmacy-led Transitions of Care Intervention to Improve Medication Adherence (MedAAAction) (4/25) - The University of Tennessee is leading a clinical trial to address medication nonadherence among socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) after hospital discharge, which is linked to increased mortality and healthcare costs. The study will compare a pharmacy-led care transitions intervention to usual care among Medicaid and uninsured patients in Tennessee, focusing on medication affordability, accessibility, and availability. The study will assess medication adherence, healthcare utilization, costs, and patient experience to guide future interventions for this vulnerable population.

Health Affairs: A.C.C.E.S.S. AI: A New Framework For Advancing Health Equity In Health Care AI (4/25) - The article introduces the A.C.C.E.S.S. AI framework, designed to guide the development and deployment of health care AI technologies towards advancing health equity. It emphasizes the importance of community engagement, tailoring AI solutions to specific contexts, and ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems to promote health equity. The framework aims to address disparities in AI-driven health care by involving diverse stakeholders, considering social determinants of health, and prioritizing ethical considerations in AI development and implementation.

Upcoming Events

Conferences

• May 7-9, 2024 - AHA, “Accelerating Health Equity Conference.” Kansas City, MO
• May 29-30, 2024 - CMS, "Health Equity Conference." Bethesda, MD | Hybrid

Briefings and Webinars

• May 15, 2024 - National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, "Promising Practices and Lessons Learned from the NIH Common Fund Transformative Health Disparities Program." Virtual
• May 17, 2024 -American Health Information Management Association, "Preparing for Regulatory Compliance: Screening for Social Drivers of Health." Virtual
• May 21, 2024 - U.S. Senate Committee on HELP, "Feeding a Healthier America: Current Efforts and Potential Opportunities for Food is Medicine." Virtual
• May 21, 2024 - National Council on Aging, "What Does the New Physician Fee Schedule Rule Mean for Community-Based Organizations Offering Health and Wellness Activities?" Virtual
• May 23, 2024 - Margolis Center for Health Policy, "Advancing Whole-Person Health Care through North Carolina's State Transformation Collaborative." Virtual
• May 23, 2024 - National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, "Vivek Murthy Lecture Series for Public Health Leadership: Fostering Social Connection to Enhance Health and Wellbeing." Virtual