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Guest Blog Post: MA DPH Raises Prediabetes Awareness for Diabetes Alert Day

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The following is a guest Blog Post from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in recognition of Diabetes Alert Day (March 28th)

Type 2 diabetes is a serious and costly public health issue affecting tens of millions of Americans. Older adults have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. For those over 65, 1 in every 2 has prediabetes. In Massachusetts, there may be as many as 1.8 million adults who have prediabetes.

What is prediabetes? Prediabetes happens when blood sugar (glucose) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diabetes.

An intervention, however, in the form of a prediabetes screening and referral to an evidence-based lifestyle change program, can help prevent the development of diabetes and the many serious conditions and complications associated with it. Continue reading →

Our Parents, Ourselves: Health Care for an Aging Population

This report, supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, explores the care experienced by older adults in the U.S., including the number and types of care providers they see, along with the frequency with which they have contact with the health care system. It identifies areas where improvements are most needed and recognizes areas in which improvements are already under way. Finally, it notes challenges and opportunities presented by people with multiple chronic conditions and dementia. Source: Dartmouth Atlas

The Wellness Guide for Cancer Survivors

This guide was created by MCCPCN’s Survivorship Work Group and released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Its goal is to help improve the quality of life of survivors by focusing on wellness.
The interactive guide also includes inspiring stories of local cancer survivors who’ve taken steps to improve their wellness, and practical information from experts in our state who care for cancer survivors.

How Community-Based Organizations Can Support Value-Driven Health Care

Data and Reports, News and Updates

Cross-posted from HealthAffairsBlog
By Anand Parekh, MD, MPH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Robert Schreiber, MD, Hebrew SeniorLife

As our health care system transforms more quickly than ever from paying for volume to paying for value, providers have strong incentives to ensure that their patients’ care plans are reinforced and supported outside the clinical setting in people’s homes and communities. Continue reading →

Advice for older people on staying safe in hot weather

“Summer weather can pose special health risks to older adults and people with chronic medical conditions. It is critically important that adults particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses know how to safeguard against problems. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some tips to help avoid the hazards of hot weather.” Source: NIH

Member Spotlight: Dr. Milagros Abreu

Member Spotlight

Milagros Abreu, MD, MPH is the founder and Executive Director of the Latino Health Insurance Program, Inc. (LHIP), and serves as a Chair on the committee for diversity of the Massachusetts Medical Society and the executive committee of the Healthy Aging Collaborative. She recently received the Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for Excellence in Public Health.

You founded the Latino Health Insurance Program (LHIP). What is the LHIP?
The LHIP is a nonprofit organization that was founded to address the issue of access to medical care for Latinos in Massachusetts. Latinos are among the most affected populations when it comes to lack of medical coverage. Continue reading →