Welcome to the monthly QIO eNews. We provide you with the latest tools, resources, and learning opportunities that can be shared with your staff, residents, patients, and community members.
Infection Prevention and Vaccinations
On May 3rd, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Arexvy, the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine approved for use in the United States. Arexvy is approved for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in individuals 60 years of age and older.
The virus that causes COVID-19 changes over time. The bivalent COVID-19 vaccines provide broad protection against COVID-19 and are expected to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by currently circulating variants. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines.
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. Throughout the month, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will focus on promoting tools and resources addressing the stigma about mental health among racial and ethnic minority populations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the tools available is the free and accredited OMH e-learning program: Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals. You may also visit the National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month website for shareable social media messages, downloadable graphics, and other health resources.
According to the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, racial and ethnic minorities are among those most affected by low health literacy, including 66 percent of Hispanics/Latinos and 58 percent of African Americans who have basic or below basic health literacy, compared to 28 percent of white Americans. The study also showed that women are slightly more health literate than men, with 12 percent of women having below basic competency compared to 16 percent of men. This report describes how health literacy varies across the population and where adults with different levels of health literacy obtain information about health issues. The analyses in this report examine differences related to literacy that are based on self reported background characteristics among groups in 2003.
The Language Access Resource Guideprovides guidance on best practices, strategies, and actions to meet the specific language needs and preferences of AA and NH/PI communities in COVID-19 response activities.
The Community Engagement Resource Guide provides guidance on best practices, strategies, and actions to develop and sustain partnerships with AA and NH/PI community members, community-based organizations, and coalitions to ensure a diversity of voices and perspectives inform and contribute to the creation and implementation of COVID-19 response activities.
The Data Disaggregation Resource Guideprovides guidance on best practices, strategies, and actions to improve the collection, use, and reporting of disaggregated data on AA and NH/PI populations related to COVID-19.
Qsource - Health Equity Response Questionnaire
Health Equity and CLAS in Nursing Homes
Parks and Recreation Month
In recognition of Parks and Recreation Month 2023, Qsource is encouraging partners to enjoy the benefits of being outside and celebrate the role of how parks can bring people together, provide essential services and foster the growth of our communities. Locate a park near you and enjoy the great outdoors.
Before going outside, please check the air quality in your area. Individuals with certain health conditions may be advised to limit their outdoor activities to reduce exposure.
As we celebrate Parks and Recreation month, be sure to take a listen to our podcast, Planning and Designing Great Communities!
Qsource launched a new Facebook page called "Qsource Communities" where our partners and stakeholders can find upcoming events, relevant tools to download, announcements to share, and much more. Join the quality improvement community!
Visit Qsource's New QIO Website
Check out qio.qsource.org! Here you'll find our resource library, curated toolkits, event registration, and more. Stay tuned as we continue to add more value through this new site!
The QIN-QIO Program is one of the largest federal programs dedicated to improving health quality at the local level. Qsource has served as a Medicare contractor since 1973. We provide our services free-of-charge to our collaborating providers, so you will not incur any charges for use of our staff and resources.
This material was prepared by Qsource, a/an Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 23.QIO.06.039
Qsource, 8245 Tournament Drive, Memphis, TN 38125, USA
