February is American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 85 million adults (greater than 1 in 3) have cardiovascular disease; more than 43 million adults age 60 and older are impacted.  Additionally, about two-thirds of cardiovascular disease-related deaths occur in people age 75 and older.

ACL has authored a new issue briefing entitled “The Opioid Public Health Emergency and Older Adults.” Opioid misuse and addiction have become a large, nation-wide issue. Opioid use disorder can affect people of all ages; racial, ethnic, sexual and gender minorities; income classes; and geographic areas. Older adults are among the groups affected by this problem because they often use prescription opioids to cope with painful chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or procedures, such as surgery.

On February 7, 2018, a panel of experts from across the Department of Health and Human Services discussed workable, holistic solutions that states can use to protect the health and safety of residents living in a group home setting.

Two new grant opportunities from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL have been announced under the Disab

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program empowers Medicare beneficiaries, and their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. SMP projects provide local outreach, education, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries through a trained volunteer workforce. SMP projects teach Medicare beneficiaries to protect their Medicare numbers, to detect billing discrepancies on their quarterly Medicare Summary Notice statements, and to report suspicious activity for further investigation.

Public Comment Open From February 13 - March 13 The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) invites the public to comment on proposed changes to the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). There are new measures, changes to existing measures and guidelines and strategies for addressing issues that apply across various HEDIS measures.

ACL's Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) State Partnership Program is announcing two new funding opportunities.

The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) has released its 2017 report, America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis: Effects on People with Intellectual Disabilities, Families, Communities and the U.S. Economy. Direct support professionals (DSPs) provide services and supports that empower people with intellectual disabilities to live in the community. 

What is the healthcare experience like for people with disabilities? And what is Disability Competent Care?

American Society on Aging Blog (February 13)—authored by ACL staffers Dementia in Underserved Communities: Getting Services & Supports into Minority & Rural Communities