Special Focus on Heart Health

Each year, the World Health Organization recognizes April 7 as a day to raise awareness of a global health priority area. This year, World Health Day focuses on high blood pressure, with the ultimate goal of improving heart health and reducing heart attacks and strokes worldwide. As part of its efforts to improve cardiac health among Medicare beneficiaries, the QIO Program is collaborating with health care provider organizations and beneficiaries themselves to reduce cardiac risk factors.

The national Million Hearts™ initiative is receiving a boost from QIOs as they generate activity at the state level to motivate individuals to take action and pledge to improve their heart health. QIO activities include the West Virginia QIO partnering with the American Heart Association and taking the initiative to the people at public events where individuals can pledge their support using on-site laptops; the Maryland QIO partnering with its department of health and others to sponsor a Maryland Million Hearts™ Symposium; the Alabama QIO worked with a state senator to create a resolution to spawn heart health awareness; and the Arkansas QIO partnered with a local YMCA to promote “Healthy Hot Springs” in a high Medicare population area.

Take action for heart health Sunday, April 7, by joining in the celebration and enjoying this first in a series of occasional QIO News special focus issues.