Insights Blog

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