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AHA Guest Blog: The severity of depressive symptoms over time may help predict stroke risk

On June 22, 2022

People who consistently have higher depressive symptoms may be at higher risk for a stroke, according to new research. But stroke risk did not increase in those with decreasing severity of symptoms over time, even if they had high depressive symptoms early on. Past studies show a possible link between depression and the risk of stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and death...

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Healthy Lifestyle, Behavior Change, Health Engagement, American Heart Association, Disease Management

The role of health content and delivery in supporting improved health plan HEDIS results

On June 10, 2022

The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most important tool health plans use for measuring clinical performance and plan quality. HEDIS is administered by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which collects the data and evolves the HEDIS measurement set annually. Over 90% of plans, enrolling 191 million Americans, use HEDIS annually to measure their performance.

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AHA Guest Blog: Rate of high blood pressure disorders in pregnancy doubled in 12 years

On June 8, 2022

The rate of pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorders doubled in the U.S. between 2007 and 2019, according to new research that finds 1 in 5 births now results in such a disorder, a preterm delivery or a baby with low birth weight. The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, fills in important details about women's heart health during a crucial period of their lives, because those pregnancy complications are linked to a long-term risk of heart disease,...

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American Heart Association, Disease Management

Social Determinants of Health: How seeing the bigger picture can improve patient outcomes

On May 24, 2022

The importance of social determinants of health My first job as a nurse was in the progressive care unit, often caring for patients with chronic conditions like COPD, CHF, and diabetes. There was much to learn as a new nurse, but it didn’t take me long to recognize repeat patients. They had just been discharged a few weeks or days before in stable condition with a plan for follow-up appointments, new medicines, and dietary changes. On their second admission, it would surface that they didn’t go...

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Patient Education, Care Management

AHA Guest Blog: Childhood abuse may raise cholesterol, diabetes risk in some adults

On May 17, 2022

Adults who reported experiencing abuse during childhood could have a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, according to new research that found risk varied by gender and race. The new study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, showed the risk lessened for white women and Black men if they also grew up in "well-organized households" in which family members were engaged in their lives.

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Patient Education, Health Observances, American Heart Association, Disease Management

From health plan performance data to supporting individual members: Krames partnerships can help raise HEDIS scores and member satisfaction

On May 17, 2022

About 191 million individuals are enrolled in health plans that use the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) as their most important tool in evaluating plan quality and clinical performance. HEDIS is administered by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which collects the data and evolves the HEDIS measurement set annually. HEDIS matters, as NCQA plan accreditation is based on HEDIS results combined with Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems...

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AHA Guest Blog: Decades-long heart study shows longer lives, lower cardiovascular risks

On May 3, 2022

People taking part in the historic Framingham Heart Study are living longer and with less risk of having a heart attack, stroke or dying from coronary heart disease, according to a new analysis that underscores the power of prevention, screening and treatment efforts. Scientists have known for decades about the risks posed by plaque buildup in the arteries. Coronary heart disease, for example, caused 360,900 deaths in the U.S. in 2019, according to statistics from the American Heart Association.

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Healthy Lifestyle, Behavior Change, Health Engagement, American Heart Association, Disease Management

How health education and digital content delivery are key factors in a successful health plan RFP for a managed care program

On April 28, 2022

The Request for Proposals process requires advance preparation and top-notch partners Health plans have new opportunities to serve their communities and acquire new members through value-based Managed Care Programs for Medicaid and Medicare plans. As a manager leading this effort or having it impact your business line, your plan can serve these prospective members well. Yet to submit a winning Request for Proposal (RFP), it’s a deadline-driven commitment demanding time, attention, and...

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Patient Education, Population Health Management, Health Engagement, Payer/Health Plans, Patient Experience, Care Management, Health Education, Disease Management, Medicare, Medicaid, Member education

Krames recognized with 37 Hermes Creative Awards

On April 20, 2022

2022 wins bring total to 136 awards in last 6 years. Each year, our Krames team looks forward to seeing custom marketing solutions we develop in partnership with our hospital, health system, health plan, and association clients judged against best-in-class marketing and communications programs in the global Hermes Creative Awards. Sponsored by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, it’s one of the largest and oldest creative competitions, drawing more than 6,000 entries...

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News

What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Variants

On April 19, 2022

Keeping on top of COVID-19 and the impact on your health care environment is a never-ending task. With variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continuing to threaten both patient health and hospital capacity, we know the importance of providing up-to-date information. The CDC actively monitors all coronavirus variants to make recommendations about the classification of variants (variant of concern, variant of interest, and variants being monitored). Some are considered variants of interest: based on...

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Patient Education, Population Health Management, Health Engagement, Healthcare Providers, COVID-19, Patient Experience

AHA Guest Blog: The pandemic's ripple effects on health have begun. What can we do now?

On April 5, 2022

For more than two years, COVID-19's direct harm has been visible in overflowing intensive care wards and grim statistics. Now, some of its indirect effects are coming into focus. Studies are linking the pandemic to higher rates of fatal heart disease and stroke, deaths from addiction-related problems and more. The exact causes of these connections are still being determined, experts say, but the effects may be long-lasting.

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Population Health Management, Healthy Lifestyle, Behavior Change, Health Engagement, American Heart Association

AHA Guest Blog: New heart failure guidelines expand focus on people at risk or showing early signs

On April 1, 2022

A new set of recommendations aimed at helping doctors prevent and manage heart failure expand the focus on people at risk or showing early signs of the condition. The latest guidelines from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and Heart Failure Society of America emphasize the importance of optimizing blood pressure and adhering to a healthy lifestyle to prevent the disease, along with new treatment strategies for people already showing symptoms. The recommendations...

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Population Health Management, Healthy Lifestyle, Behavior Change, Health Engagement, American Heart Association

Partnering for and advancing member-centric care management for health plans: VirtualHealth, WebMD Provider Services, and Krames

On March 30, 2022

Health plans have a new and advanced option for their care management teams coaching high and rising risk members. VirtualHealth, the industry-leading SaaS solution for comprehensive medical management, is partnering with WebMD Provider Services to directly access Krames’ trusted, industry-leading multimedia health information from within VirtualHealth’s HELIOS® platform.

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Population Health Management, Health Engagement, Payer/Health Plans, Care Journey, Member Engagement, Care Management, Health Education

AHA Guest Blog: Plant-based diet may slow cognitive decline in Black adults as they age

On March 22, 2022

Eating a predominantly plant-based diet may substantially slow the rate of cognitive decline in older Black adults in the U.S., according to preliminary research. However, this dietary pattern had less effect on cognitive decline in older white adults, according to the findings presented Friday at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health conference in Chicago.

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Population Health Management, Healthy Lifestyle, Behavior Change, Health Engagement, American Heart Association

AHA Guest Blog: Serious mental illnesses tied to higher risk for heart attack and stroke

On March 15, 2022

People with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders may have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease at younger ages than those without a serious mental health condition, according to new research. "Previous research has indicated that people diagnosed with a serious mental illness die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population, and their leading cause of death is heart disease," Dr. Rebecca C. Rossom said in a news release. She led the study published Wednesday in...

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Population Health Management, Healthy Lifestyle, Behavior Change, Health Engagement, American Heart Association

AHA Guest Blog: Healthy living could offset genetics and add years free of heart disease

On February 22, 2022

People who follow seven rules for healthy living – such as staying physically active and eating a healthy diet – could offset a high genetic risk for heart disease, according to new research that suggests it could mean as many as 20 extra years of life free of heart disease. The study, published Monday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, found people with high cumulative genetic risk scores for heart disease could dramatically lower that risk if they adhered to seven...

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Patient Education, Population Health Management, Healthy Lifestyle, Behavior Change, Health Engagement, American Heart Association

AHA Guest Blog: Statistics report offers snapshot of the nation's brain health – and a guide to protecting it

On February 22, 2022

Brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, are closely connected to heart health. They are affected by everyday actions and rank among the nation's leading causes of death. That's the portrait of brain health that emerges from the American Heart Association's "Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2022 Update" published Wednesday in the journal Circulation. It's the first time the annual report has dedicated a chapter to brain health.

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Patient Education, Healthy Lifestyle, Behavior Change, Health Engagement, American Heart Association