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HealthSciences News Archive2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 The Elephant in the Room: Depression & Chronic Illness Despite its many human and financial costs, depression is a chronic disease that is under-recognized, undertreated and poorly managed. Yet the prevalence of depression in the general population may be higher than previously thought—with estimates of 19% in Canadian studies. Individuals between 45 to 64 years of age are at particularly high risk according to US studies, with baby boomers being at the highest risk of suicide of any age group. On July 9th, the Population Health Improvement Learning Collaborative featured a groundbreaking presentation and discussion on depression and chronic illness with HealthSciences Institute Advisory Board Member Susan Benson, DNP, APRN, CCP. Dr. Benson shared important new developments in the genetics and neurobiology of depression, as well as practical steps for depression screening, depression and suicide risk management, evidence-based treatments, and strategies and tips for listening and talking to patients affected by depression. Improving & Simplifying Care for Patients with Complex Conditions or Comorbidities In the US, it is estimated that approximately 10% of patients account for 70% of total direct health care expenses. These patients also incur significant indirect costs due to excess disability, premature or avoidable institutionalization and burden to family caregivers. With the US population aging and health care costs rising, improving care for these patients is more than a moral imperative; it is a matter of economic security. According the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in 2009 the US Medicare program accounted for 19% of the US budget ($676 Billion)—second only Social Security, which accounted for 20% ($678 Billion). While care for these patients will never be easy or inexpensive, many quality and cost gaps stem from the lack of alignment between the acute care-oriented US health care system and the needs of people with chronic conditions—or end-of-life issues. Can Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) Reshape Health Care? The Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2009 (health care reform) includes the accountable care organization (ACO) as a promising new collaborative framework for physician practices, hospitals and other health care organizations. ACOs provide new incentives for sharing cost savings across service settings and providers. With all the talk about ACOs, many are wondering whether this will be just another CMS demonstration program, or a template for the future of health care. In the Chicago market—where CMS spends 25% more on care per Medicare patient, and ranks among the worst nationally at preventing rehospitalizations—Illinois's largest health system isn't waiting to find out. Advocate Health Care is taking aggressive steps now to curb the use of unnecessary diagnostic tests and prevent patients from being rehospitalized. US HHS Awards $27 Million for Disease Self-Management Programs for US Seniors State aging units and area agencies on aging will be playing a more active role in supporting disease self-management with the US Health & Human Services (HHS) Department's award of $27 million for the Communities Putting Prevention to Work Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM) Program. CDSM is an evidence-based community program that helps people gain self-confidence in their ability to control chronic disease-related symptoms and manage the impact of health problems on daily lives. The grants will allow 45 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to provide CDSM programs to older adults with chronic diseases. The grants were provided to state units on aging, health departments and state Medicaid agencies--in partnership with regional Area Agencies on Aging. The CDSM program features small-group workshops over six weeks, meeting once a week for about two hours. The groups are led by a two lay leaders with chronic conditions. The meetings are highly interactive and focus on building skills, sharing experiences and support. Area Agencies on Aging, including SeniorsPlus of Maine, are supporting better senior chronic disease management and self-care through Chronic Care Professional (CCP) staff accreditation. New England Journal of Medicine Article Cites Adherence Support as a Key Priority for Health Care Reform
Obesity Alliance Surveys Find Primary Care Practices Not Prepared to Help Patients Manage Weight The Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance recently released a white paper on innovative approaches for obesity management in primary care. The paper noted that while primary care physicians recognize their role in addressing obesity, they report that they lack the necessary weight management resources. In a national survey of 290 primary care physicians conducted by Harris Interactive, 89% believed that it is their responsibility to help overweight or obese patients lose weight, though 72% noted that no one in their practice has been trained to deal with weight-related issues. While time constraints to providing weight management assistance were cited by survey respondents, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, former US Surgeon General and STOP chairman, noted that "Even if they had those precious extra minutes, many would still be missing the needed information about weight-loss tools and existing programs." HealthSciences Partners With Pennsylvania Homecare Association in Chronic Care Initiative The Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PAHA) and HealthSciences Institute are collaborating to deliver the Chronic Care Professional (CCP) certification and staff accreditation program to Pennsylvania's home health care agencies. Maine Area Agency on Aging Program Completes Chronic Care Professional (CCP) Staff Accreditation Elder Independence of Maine (EIM)--a division of SeniorsPlus, the Area Agency on Aging for western Maine--recently achieved Chronic Care Professional (CCP) staff accreditation, demonstrating the preparation of their staff in person-centered, evidence-based chronic care support. BCBS of Illinois Hosts Third CCP Conference Planning is underway for a third Chronic Care Professional (CCP) conference for population health improvement staff at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL). CCP Online Video Library Expanded: HealthSciences Institute currently offers the largest available online motivational interviewing (MI) video library to all participants enrolled in the Chronic Care Professional (CCP) certification program. LinkedIn Community Launched for Population Health Improvement Professionals Looking for a place to network with your colleagues working on the front-line in wellness, chronic care improvement and care management programs in health plans, health systems and medical homes? Resistance is Not a Patient Problem: Practical Skills for Better Adherence Workplace Wellness Programs Save $3.27 in Health Care Costs for Each Dollar Invested US Preventative Services Task Force Releases Guidelines for Obesity Screening and Intervention in Children & Adolescents Since the 1970s, obesity in children and adolescents has increased three- to six-fold. Today, 12% to 18% of children and teens aged 2 to 19 years of age are obese based on body mass index (BMI) ratings. Obesity in children and adolescents increases risk for a number of chronic diseases such as diabetes in later, or in some cases, early life. While BMI has been found to be an effective strategy for measuring obesity in children and adults, it is not routinely used in physician practices. A January 18th guidelines statement posted online by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians screen children ages 6 to 18 years for obesity during routine health screening visits and refer as appropriate to programs to improve their weight status. All children and adolescents who are in the top 15% of body mass are considered overweight or obese and should be treated. ADA Releases 2010 Diabetes Care Guidelines
Improve HF 24 Month Progress Report: Results from the HealthSciences Institute-supported IMPROVE HF study (The Registry to Improve the Use of Evidence-Based Heart Failure Therapies in the Outpatient Setting) were announced at the Heart Failure Society meeting in late 2009. New InFocus Series: Is health coaching “pop psychology” or an effective approach for addressing the behavioral factors that are responsible for most chronic disease-related risks and consequences? Dr. Rick Botelho Appointed to Advisory Board: HealthSciences Institute welcomes Rick Botelho, MD, Professor of Family Medicine and Assistant Dean of Faculty and Student Development at the new College of Medicine (Florida International University, Miami), to the HealthSciences Institute advisory board. CCP Online Video Library Expanded: HealthSciences Institute currently offers the largest available online motivational interviewing (MI) video library to all participants enrolled in the Chronic Care Professional (CCP) certification program. LinkedIn Community Launched for Population Health Improvement Professionals Looking for a place to network with your colleagues working on the front-line in wellness, chronic care improvement and care management programs in health plans, health systems and medical homes?
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InFocus: This Volume of InFocus:Evidence-Based Health Coaching HealthSciences Institutes eNews  For Email Newsletters you can trust
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