HealthTeamWorks

04/10/2026

A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that mothers of color who experienced racism or microaggressions during obstetric care had higher blood pressure after childbirth compared to those who did not report these experiences.

The study also found that among patients living in neighborhoods heavily affected by structural racism, the correlation between racism and blood pressure was stronger.

Read the article highlighting this research: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/racism-linked-to-higher-postpartum-blood-pressure

Mothers who faced racism or microaggressions during obstetric care had higher blood pressure after delivering their babies compared to those who did not.

04/09/2026

A recent article by Larry Green, Bonnie Jortberg, and Emma Gilchrist from the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Family Medicine and the Farley Health Policy Center, published in The Lancet Primary Care, highlights the critical role of family physicians in integrating mental health into primary care.

Family physicians are often the most accessible clinicians—especially in communities where mental health specialists are limited. Their ongoing relationships with patients allow them to identify concerns early, provide evidence-based care, coordinate with specialists, and support continuity over time.

Learn more and access the full article through the University of Colorado page: https://news.cuanschutz.edu/family-medicine/family-physicians-mental-health-primary-care

Department of Family Medicine faculty highlight importance of integrated mental health wellness into primary care routines.

04/08/2026

It’s National Public Health Week 🌟

This year’s theme, “Ready. Set. Action!”, is a call to recognize the powerful impact of public health in our everyday lives—from protecting our families and strengthening communities to helping people live longer, healthier lives.

It’s also a time to celebrate the dedicated public health professionals who work behind the scenes every day and to continue advocating for policies and practices that support health and well-being for all.

Let’s take action together and continue building healthier communities.

Learn more: https://www.apha.org/initiatives/national-public-health-week

Join us in Celebrating National Public Health Week, April 6 - 12, 2026. APHA brings communities nationwide together to honor the contributions of public health and shine a light on the issues shaping the health of our nation.

04/07/2026

This is a great article from UCHealth Today on managing chronic conditions and supporting healthy aging.

As the article highlights:
“A key part of aging well is really good communication between patients, their family and the provider… The patient is the captain of the ship.”

Strong communication isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

Our Clinical Health Coach® v-Fusion training is designed to strengthen exactly this:
helping care teams communicate more effectively, build trust, and empower patients to take an active role in managing their health.

These skills are especially critical for individuals living with chronic conditions, where behavior change, goal-setting, and ongoing support make all the difference.

Our next Clinical Health Coach® v-Fusion cohort begins April 22. This a great opportunity to build practical skills that translate directly into better patient engagement and outcomes.

Learn more and enroll here: https://healthteamworks.org/chc-v-fusion/
Access the "How older adults can manage chronic conditions" article here:
https://www.uchealth.org/today/how-older-adults-can-manage-chronic-conditions/

Need help with chronic conditions? Here are tips for managing medications, appointments and pain. Staying active is vital to staying healthy.

04/06/2026

Four in 10 Americans have medical debt. Most don’t know there’s a federal law that could eliminate it.

On this episode of The Dose, a podcast from the The Commonwealth Fund, host Joel Bervell talks with Jared Walker about his nonprofit, Dollar For, which has helped Americans erase more than $100 million in medical debt by connecting them to the charity care programs that hospitals are legally required to offer but rarely publicize.

Listen to the podcast here:

On The Dose podcast, Jared Walker talks about his nonprofit, Dollar For, which has helped Americans erase more than $100 million in medical debt.

04/03/2026

April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related issues. Explore tips and tools from Johns Hopkins University to support effective coping strategies:

You can check out these tips and tools for successful coping strategies

04/01/2026

Chronic disease continues to impact rural communities at higher rates—affecting quality of life, increasing mortality, and driving up healthcare costs. With fewer resources for prevention and treatment, rural providers and communities face unique challenges in supporting patients with multiple chronic conditions.

This helpful guide from Rural Health Information Hub explores the impact of chronic disease in rural America, highlights strategies to support patients, and shares funding opportunities to strengthen community-based programs.
Read more here: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/chronic-disease

Provides resources and information on the impact of chronic disease in rural areas, as well as prevention and treatment strategies. Highlights specific chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, arthritis, HIV/AIDS, and obesity.

03/31/2026

Primary care in the U.S. is under growing pressure, with many practices struggling to stay financially viable while demand for care continues to rise. In places like western Massachusetts, patients are already facing challenges finding a primary care provider, and workforce shortages are expected to worsen in the coming years.

To stay independent and better support their patients, some practices are banding together through Independent Physician Associations (IPAs). These partnerships aim to strengthen negotiating power, improve payment models, and allow providers to focus more on prevention and patient-centered care rather than system-driven demands.

Read the full KFF article: https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/primary-care-independent-physicians-boost-market-power/

Thousands of primary care practices are fighting to remain financially viable and independent. Many are banding together to form Independent Physician Associations, or IPAs, to increase their market power.

03/30/2026

Healthcare delivery in rural America must sometimes occur outside of the traditional access points of clinics and hospitals. In rural Ohio, a university pharmacy department has a dual focus of not just preparing their pharmacist graduates to be rural practice-ready but also providing mobile services in nearby rural counties. Faculty and students explain their work in a state that's granted pharmacists provider status. Read more in this Rural Health Information Hub article: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor

03/27/2026

Better conversations lead to better outcomes.

The next Clinical Health Coach® v-Fusion cohort starts April 22!

Designed for busy healthcare professionals, this interactive program combines self-paced learning with live, hands-on practice to strengthen patient engagement, support behavior change, and improve outcomes.

✔ Strengthen communication to enhance patient engagement
✔ Practice Motivational Interviewing in interactive small groups
✔ Build confidence through guided feedback and coaching support

📅 April 22 – September 30, 2026
🕚 Sessions are held primarily every other Wednesday at 11:00 AM CST

Reserve your spot today: https://healthteamworks.org/chc-v-fusion/

03/23/2026

In recognition of National Nutrition Month, this Pharmacy Times article explores the powerful connection between nutrition, medication adherence, and long-term chronic disease management.
Experts highlight that nutrition can be viewed as medicine, working alongside medications to improve outcomes—not as competing priorities.
The article also underscores the importance of team-based care, where pharmacists, health coaches, and care teams collaborate to help patients build realistic, sustainable routines—especially when facing barriers like time, access, and competing priorities.
Small, consistent changes can create a powerful ripple effect across health behaviors.
Read more: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/q-a-how-pharmacists-and-health-coaches-can-partner-to-improve-chronic-disease-outcomes

Nutrition coaching and pharmacist support boost medication adherence, tackle access barriers, and strengthen chronic disease routines.

03/20/2026

How can communities make the most of limited resources while advancing health equity and wellbeing?

This insightful blog from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation highlights three practical principles to help align investments, maximize impact, and support long-term community health—especially in times of uncertainty.

A great read for anyone working at the intersection of healthcare, public health, and community impact.

Read more: https://www.rwjf.org/en/insights/blog/2026/02/ensuring-community-investments-boost-health-equity-and-wellbeing.html

These principles can help communities align resources to advance health and collective wellbeing, even when resources are scarce.