In the quest to reduce preventable cardiovascular disease events across the nation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) joined forces to launch the Million Hearts initiative. With a bold vision of preventing one million cardiovascular events by December 2026, the initiative places a significant emphasis on improving the quality of primary care.
The ABCS of Cardiovascular Disease
At the heart of the Million Hearts initiative lies the ABCS approach, targeting key factors contributing to cardiovascular health:
Aspirin use
Blood pressure control
Cholesterol management
Smoking cessation
These pillars form the foundation for a comprehensive strategy to combat heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases.
The Role of Free and Charitable Clinics and Pharmacies (FCCPs):
Data from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) shed light on the vital role of FCCPs in addressing cardiovascular health in underserved populations. In 2022, hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking emerged as the most common patient disease states treated among nearly 1,400 FCCPs nationwide:
Hypertension: 21%
High cholesterol: 15%
Smoking: 9%
Notably, co-occurring conditions such as depression/anxiety (22%) and diabetes (18%) were also prevalent among FCCP patients.
FCCPs Are Priority Populations for the Million Hearts Initiative
Free and Charitable Clinics (FCCPs) play an indispensable role in reaching communities often overlooked by expansive health systems and are instrumental in advancing the health equity objectives outlined in the Million Hearts initiative.
A staggering 85% of FCCP patients lack health insurance, emphasizing the clinics' crucial function in extending healthcare access to the uninsured population. Even among those FCCP patients with insurance, half of them grapple with formidable cost barriers such as copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and deductibles.
The significance of FCCPs is further underscored by the diverse racial and ethnic makeup of their patient demographics, surpassing the diversity seen in the broader US population. Serving as a vital component of the national safety net, FCCPs play a pivotal role in mitigating racial and ethnic health disparities, aligning with the overarching goals of health equity.
Without the invaluable services offered by FCCPs, a substantial portion of these patients would find themselves without access to primary care and affordable medications necessary for the effective management of chronic conditions. The existence and resilience of FCCPs stand as a beacon of hope for communities that would otherwise face insurmountable barriers to essential healthcare resources.
The Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge
Recognizing the importance of FCCPs to public health, those that have achieved at least 80% hypertension control in their adult population during the last 12 months deserve to be in the national spotlight. We encourage them to apply to the Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge. The deadline for submission is April 5, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET. View the rules. Preview the application.
Recognition Benefits
Organizations selected for recognition under the Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge will be featured on the Million Hearts website. They can share social media post and other materials developed by Million Hearts with their stakeholder groups. This national recognition serves as a testament to their commitment to high-quality primary care and can be leveraged in communications with patients, partners, and funders.
Conclusion
In navigating the intricacies of healthcare for the underserved, the Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champion awards offers abundant benefits to Free and Charitable Clinics (FCCPs). The recognition validates FCCPs, which rarely receive federal funding, and emphasizes the value of community-based, volunteer-driven healthcare.
In awarding Million Hearts recognition to FCCPs, federal agencies can spotlight innovative community-level models of care. These models, typically absent from larger healthcare organizations, contribute significantly to reducing preventable emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and they reduce overall healthcare costs. Together, we can advance toward the goal of one million fewer cardiovascular events, building a healthier future for all. Supporting FCCPs not only champions inclusive healthcare but also encourages impactful innovation.
See a national map of current Hypertension Control Champions.
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