July 19, 2013
July 19, 2013 – Heart disease and stroke are two of the leading causes of death in the United States. One out of every four deaths in Oregon is due to heart disease. In 2007 the total annual medical cost for heart disease in Oregon was $620 million; $190 million for stroke. Nationally, one in every six health care dollars is spent treating cardiovascular diseases. The national initiative, Million Hearts™ has set an ambitious goal to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Trillium Community Health Plan and their provider network are joining in the effort. Million Hearts™ is an initiative aimed to prevent heart disease and stroke by: • Improving access to effective care. • Improving the quality of care for the ABCS: Aspirin for people at risk, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management and Smoking cessation – which address the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and can help to prevent heart attacks and strokes. • Focusing clinical attention on the prevention of heart attack and stroke. • Activating the public to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle. • Improving the prescription and adherence to appropriate medications for the ABCS. “This is exactly the kind of quality improvement project CCOs should engage in,” says Holly Jo Hodges, M.D. “Trillium’s prevention efforts are focused on obesity and tobacco cessation as top priorities. If we can assist our providers in helping their patients appropriately use aspirin, control their blood pressure, manage their high cholesterol and quit using tobacco, we will contribute in a big way to saving a million hearts nationally." Wednesday July 17, Trillium is hosting a kick-off event for providers in preparation for the Million Hearts implementation. As the physician champion for Million Hearts Dr. Hodges takes her role very seriously. But, she also appreciates humor and likes to have fun. She is planning to surprise staff by appearing as the “Queen of Hearts,” complete with costume and crown. Instead of shouting “Off with her head,” the famous line from Alice in Wonderland, she plans to say “Save your heart!”
