Take Action: Optimizing Equity in Cardiology Care

Faculty

Monica E. Peek, MD, MPH, MSc
Moderator
Ellen H. Block Professor of Health Justice
Vice-Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Department of Medicine
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL 
Mercedes Carnethon, PhD
Mary Harris Thompson Professor and Chair of Department of Preventive Medicine
(Epidemiology) and Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)
Northwestern Medicine
Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, IL

Statement of Need

Disparities in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension, disproportionately affect underserved racial and ethnic populations as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. These groups face significant barriers, such as lower rates of hypertension control, increased cardiovascular mortality, and limited access to necessary care. For example, non-Hispanic Black patients experience a 50% higher risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to non-Hispanic White patients, while unhoused individuals are 2-4 times more likely to suffer from hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases at younger ages. Addressing these inequities as an individual and a member or the healthcare team is essential to improving cardiovascular health outcomes.

In this CME Outfitters BriefCase, part of a collection on health equity, expert faculty will discuss actionable strategies to enhance health equity in the management of cardiovascular disorders. The focus will be on identifying and addressing social drivers of health (SDoH) that contribute to disparities, integrating holistic treatment approaches, and employing team-based strategies to ensure equitable care. Learners will gain tools to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions, particularly in high-risk, underserved populations.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to better:

  • Identify health inequities in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of patients with cardiovascular disorders
  • As a member of the healthcare team, implement actionable, collaborative strategies to improve health equity

Financial Support

Supported by an educational grant provided by Johnson & Johnson.

Target Audience

Physicians specializing in cardiology, surgery, primary care, and emergency, physician associates (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses, pharmacists, front office staff and administrators, finance staff, executives, support staff, and patients

Credit Information

Jointly Accredited Provider

In support of improving patient care, CME Outfitters, LLC, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians (ACCME) 1.0

CME Outfitters, LLC, designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacists (ACPE) 1.0

This application-based activity is approved for 1.0 contact hours (0.01 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy credit (JA0007185-0000-24-067-H01-P).

Nurses (ANCC) 1.0

This activity is designated for 1.0 contact hours.

California Residents: This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. CME Outfitters, LLC’s provider number is CEP15510.

Interprofessional (IPCE) 1.0

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.0 Interprofessional Continuing Education Credit for learning and change.

Physician Assistants (AAPA): 1.0

CME Outfitters, LLC, has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 08/23/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

ABIM MOC 1.0

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

MIPS Improvement Activity

Completion of this accredited CME activity meets the expectations of an Accredited Safety or Quality Improvement Program (IA_PSPA_28) for the Merit-based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS). Clinicians should submit their improvement activities by attestation via the CMS Quality Payment Program website.

Royal College MOC

Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Disclosure Declaration

Dr.  Peek reports the following financial relationships:

Advisory Board: Abbott–Diabetes Health Equity Advisory Board (2022)

Dr. Carnethon reports no financial relationships to disclose.

The following individuals have no financial relationships to disclose: 

Rebecca Vargas-Jackson, MD  (Peer Reviewer)
Rakale Collins Quarells, PhD (Peer Reviewer)
Thomas Mitchell, MSW (Planning Committee)
Keshia Pitt, PhD (Planning Committee)
Jessica Whelan, DNP, APRN, FPMHNP-BC, RN-BC (Planning Committee)
Scott J. Hershman, MD, FACEHP, CHCP (Planning Committee)
Sandra Caballero, PharmD (Planning Committee)
Sharon Tordoff (Planning Committee)

 

Questions about this activity?

Call us at 877.CME.PROS (877.263.7767).

BC-122-090224-57

Take Action: Optimizing Equity in Cardiology Care
Event Date: 09/02/2024