Thursday, April 25, 2024
4/25/2024
Well-Ahead Louisiana (WAL), an initiative aimed at improving the health and wellness of Louisiana residents, is well positioned to carry out the aims of WISEWOMAN (WW). WAL has a statewide infrastructure to engage with organizations that provide Healthy Behavior Support Services (HBSS) empowering individuals to self-manage chronic diseases. Further, WAL has successfully partnered with health systems to implement strategies for improving hypertension outcomes. A key partner in these efforts has been the Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA), which represents the states Federally Qualified Health Centers. These health centers serve as the safety net for residents of Louisiana, providing primary care to under and uninsured individuals, including the WW population of women age 40-64. WAL proposes to leverage the strength of these relationships to achieve the aims of WW and provide screening, treatment, and referrals to women with or at-risk for cardiovascular disease. After reviewing statewide prevalence data, health center specific disease burden data, and qualitative data regarding capacity and interest, WAL identified ten health centers who agreed to participate in WW. These health centers currently utilize EHR systems that allow for data reporting on key metrics for hypertension management to inform program evaluation and ongoing quality improvement. The EHR, along with other health technology resources, will be leveraged to identify individuals eligible for WW and prompt clinicians to provide cardiovascular risk assessments. Care plans will include patient education, support from members of the care team such as community health workers and pharmacists, and referrals to HBSS. WAL, in partnership with LPCA, will provide practice coaching to aid clinics in implementing a care workflow that ensures each eligible patient receives screening and follow-up within seven days. This will include training, documentation of referral templates and standard operating procedures, development of clinical decision support tools within the EHR, and the utilization of data to conduct quality improvement. In addition to screening and follow-up clinical care, WAL has identified HBSS programs that have committed to receiving WW referrals from participating health centers. These programs include the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline, LSU AgCenter Nutrition Education Series, Cenla Medication Access Program Express's Healthy Lifestyle Program, YMCA's Blood Pressure Self-Management Program, and local Diabetes Prevention Programs. Clinicians can utilize the WAL Community Resource Guide, an online database searchable by parish and zip code, to identify these local resources. WAL and LPCA will partner to establish robust referral mechanisms, including bi-directional communication in order to achieve patient-centered care standards. While many women eligible for WW are currently seen by participating health centers, WAL will undertake several activities to ensure that all eligible women within the community are reached. This includes holding focus groups to understand the health literacy within this population, along with motivation, hopes, and concerns. The findings of these focus groups will be used to developed targeted messaging, media content, and other communication materials. WAL will identify high-profile women such as Mayors to promote WW screenings and messaging in targeted communities both digitally and through community events. Throughout all components of WW, WAL will seek opportunities for synergy with the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program. This includes ensuring that individuals who are eligible for both programs receive all appropriate screenings; conducting screenings within a single office visit within the two participating health centers that offer both programs; and coordinating messaging and community outreach as appropriate.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
