The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimate that more than 18 million Americans have coronary artery disease. Even
during the COVID-19 pandemic, heart disease is still the
leading cause of death, killing about 655,000 Americans each year.
And while overall rates of death in the United States from heart disease have
been on the decline for years, racial and ethnic minority populations
continue to experience increased risk.
American Heart Month,
celebrated during the month of February since 1964, focuses on prevention of
heart disease. Reducing stress, regular physical activity, and a healthy diet
are a sound foundation for heart—and overall—health. Social factors play a
significant role in a person’s ability to make these healthy choices and access
quality health care. A new study in Circulation found
that the sheer number of social determinants (including race, poverty, and
economic instability) impacting an individual can increase their risk of dying
from heart disease.
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated not only
the health of those who contract the disease but has had tremendous financial
and social impact on millions of people. Food insecurity, for example, has more
than doubled from 2019 levels to 23% of households.
Researchers from Northwestern University
examined data from 1999 through 2018 and found that people living in counties
with greater social barriers to health experienced higher rates of death from
heart attack and stroke. This new geographical view into the impact
of social factors on health reinforces the value of plans and programs that
work within local communities.
Here are a few examples of how health
insurance providers are engaging:
AllWays Health Partners created the iHeart Champion program to help
high-risk patients reduce their cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of a
heart attack. The program combines close medical management, advanced data
analytics, and health coaching to help patients focus on a healthy lifestyle.
Horizon BCBSNJ and their foundation are making
investments in community partnerships and initiatives to study and address
social justice and barriers to health that disproportionately impact racial and
ethnic minority populations.
Aetna has expanded their Medicare Advantage plan
benefits to address social determinants of health, including providing
telehealth services to ease members’ access to both primary and urgent care.
Some plans will also include a Healthy Foods debit card and food allowance to
help address food insecurity for members.
In 2020, Molina Healthcare launched
the National Molina Healthcare Social Determinants of Health Innovation Center,
which studies public and member data to learn about social factors that impact
overall health and design programs and benefits to address gaps for members.
https://www.ahip.org/the-heart-of-the-matter-social-factors-impact-heart-health/
No comments:
Post a Comment