Task Force Recommends Against Asymptomatic COPD Screening
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, after conducting a review and update of the existing evidence, is recommending against screening for COPD in asymptomatic adults.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/uspstf-2022-copd-screening.html
Feds Unveil New Resources on Mental Health, SUD Coverage
Three new federal resources published during Mental Health Awareness Month will help Americans understand their rights to coverage of mental health and substance use disorder benefits through protections offered under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/mental-health-sud-coverage-resources.html
Stand Together to Achieve the AAFP’s Top Advocacy Goals
Congress needs to feel the strength of our numbers. Here’s how you can help make that happen.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/trenches-2022-advocacy-summit.html
New Maternal Mental Health Hotline Launches
A new national hotline offers 24/7 help to new and expecting mothers who are experiencing mental health challenges; an AAFP commission chair explains what it means for family physicians.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/maternal-mental-health-hotline.html
Delegates, AAFP Leaders Show Advocacy Alignment at Town Hall
Behavioral health integration, telehealth flexibility and administrative simplification were among the topics members asked AAFP leaders to talk about at the Town Hall.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/2022-leadership-conference-town-hall.html
USPSTF Recommends Against Hormone Therapy for Most Patients
The U.S. Preventive Task Force is inviting comments on a draft recommendation and draft evidence review on the use of hormone therapy to prevent chronic conditions in postmenopausal patients.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/2022-draft-menopause-hormone-therapy.html
USPSTF Updates Recommendation on Aspirin to Prevent CVD
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says the question of whether to start low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease in adults ages 40 to 59 years with a 10% or greater 10-year CVD risk should be an individual decision.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/uspstf-aspirin-cvd.html
AAFP Calls for Post-PHE Medicaid Access, Payment, Simplification
In a recent letter, the Academy provided CMS with detailed guidance on ensuring Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to timely and comprehensive care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/medicaid-access-rfi.html
Calling for Care: Telehealth Benefits Women and the Planet
Telehealth has been a priceless gift for family physicians during the pandemic and should be expanded, write Bhargavi Chekuri, M.D., and Meredith Milligan, M.D.
AAFP News : As We See It: Voices From the AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/news/opinion/guest-editorial-telehealth-expansion.html
Overcoming Barriers at the Intersection of Faith and Health Care
Yogesh Shah, M.D., M.P.H. C.M.P., of Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, a 2021-2022 AAFP Health Equity Fellow, outlines his plan for improving health equity by increasing collaboration between health care communities and faith-based communities.
AAFP News : As We See It: Voices From the AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/news/opinion/health-care-faith-collaboration.html
Updated Recommendations for Women Address Obesity, More
The Women’s Preventive Services Initiative recently published a new recommendation on obesity prevention and updated five existing recommendations on women’s health topics.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/wpsi-new-obesity-recommendation.html
AAFP NRN Researchers Help Develop New Asthma Protocol
New research conducted by family physicians with the AAFP National Research Network indicates that adding an easy-to-use, low-cost intervention to usual asthma care can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in Black and Hispanic patients.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/prepare-asthma-study.html
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening Evidence Insufficient
A draft recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient to assess the balance of benefit and harms of screening for obstructive sleep apnea in the general adult population.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/obstructive-sleep-apnea-2022-draft.html
NHMA Council of Family Medicine Leaders Outline Work
The chair and chair-elect of the National Hispanic Medical Association’s newly formed Council of Family Medicine, which is seeking more members, recently discussed the council’s work and what they hope to accomplish.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/nhma-question-and-answer.html
AAFP Member Satisfaction Survey Opens April 27
The annual Member Satisfaction Survey, which is open April 27-May 25, is an opportunity for you to share how the AAFP is serving you well and where you need more support.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/2022-satisfaction-survey-coming.html
Tools for FPs Highlighted for Black Maternal Health Week
The Academy is putting a focus on its vast array of maternal health resources that are available to family physicians as the AAFP recognizes Black Maternal Health Week.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/2022-black-maternal-health-week.html
Academy CDHE Director to Participate in COVID-19 Webinar
Danielle Jones, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the Academy’s Center for Diversity and Health Equity, will be a featured speaker during an April 21 HHS webinar on COVID-19.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/hhs-webinar-covid-19-midwest.html
Finding the Well for Better Maternity Care
2021-22 AAFP Health Equity Fellow Safiya McNeese-Ruffin, M.D., discusses her efforts to turn two counties considered to be maternity deserts into havens that improve the lives of women and children.
AAFP News : As We See It: Voices From the AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/news/opinion/finding-the-well.html
Washington Hears Us on Integrated Behavioral Health Care
As the AAFP provides more testimony pressing to fully resource primary care practices to deliver mental health care, lawmakers are taking up legislation we support.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/trenches-integrated-behavioral-care-testimony.html
New VP of Membership Eager to Hear from FPs
New AAFP Vice President of Membership Brian Edwards, M.B.A., tackles our queries about his approach to meeting members’ needs in this QandA.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/new-membership-vp-brian-edwards.html
Nominations for 2022 AAFP Public Health Award Now Open
The Academy is now accepting applications for the AAFP 2022 Public Health Award; nominations are due by April 30.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/2022-aafp-public-health-award.html
Flexibility, Equity, Payment Top AAFP Telehealth Guidance
In a letter to the White House, the AAFP detailed telehealth policy recommendations that should be implemented beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/white-house-telehealth-guidance.html
NCCL Put Convener on Leadership Path
Robyn Liu, M.D., M.P.H., said the National Conference of Constituency Leaders was the on-ramp to her involvement with the AAFP more than a decade ago. Next month, she’ll return as convener of the leadership development event.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/family-doc-focus-robyn-liu.html
Resident Leader Is Eager to Return to Rural Roots
Family medicine resident Shelby Owens, M.D., is eager to serve a rural community like the one she grew up in.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/family-doc-focus-shelby-owens.html
Integrating Primary Care, Public Health for Health Equity
Laura Chanchien Parajón, M.D., M.P.H., winner of the 2021 AAFP Public Health Award, discusses her journey in primary care and public health while recognizing many of the women leaders she has worked with in her career.
AAFP News : As We See It: Voices From the AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/news/opinion/integrating-primary-care-health-equity.html
Remove Burdens from Surprise Billing Rule, AAFP Tells CMS
The AAFP recently gave CMS guidance on fine-tuning a new rule so it protects the physician-patient relationship and prevents unnecessary delays in care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/simplify-surprise-billing-rule.html
Future FPs Share Their Vision for Family Medicine
With Match Day approaching, we asked four fourth-year medical students who hope to match into family medicine to share their thoughts on what drew them to the specialty and why they are optimistic about that choice.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/2022-match-student-q-and-a.html
Medicare GME Policy Holds Wins, Opportunities for Family Medicine
The AAFP and other family medicine organizations lauded new Medicare graduate medical education residency slots but repeated a call for CMS to use an impact factor the groups developed to incorporate consideration of programs that train physicians who go on to practice in underserved ...
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/2022-gme-final-rule.html
ACIP Discusses Tick-borne Encephalitis, Cholera, Hepatitis B, More
The February 2022 meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices included votes on vaccines for several infectious diseases, along with presentations on influenza activity, measles/mumps/rubella vaccinations and other topics.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/acip-february-2022-meeting.html
Task Force Recommends Statins for Primary CVD Prevention
A new draft recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force calls for prescription or selective offering of statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults ages 40 to 75 based on risk factors and estimated 10-year CVD event risk.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/statins-draft-recommendation.html
Family Physicians Urge All Eligible Children and Adults to Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19
Family Physicians Urge All Eligible Children and Adults to Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/statements/family-physicians-urge-all-eligible-children-and-adults-to-get-vaccinated-against-covid-19.html
Providing a Voice for Minority Students
Southern Illinois mentor Safiya McNeese-Ruffin, M.D., said her delayed path to medical school helps her relate to students and residents who face obstacles of their own.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/family-doc-focus-safiya-mcneese-ruffin.html
Screen for Syphilis in Those at Increased Risk
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is accepting comments on a draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review on screening for syphilis in people who are at increased risk.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/uspstf-syphilis-screening-draft.html
CDC Publishes Immunization Schedules for 2022
The CDC’s adult and childhood immunization schedules have been updated for 2022 with, among other changes, the addition of a new step that calls for reviewing contraindications and precautions.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/2022-immunization-schedules.html
Family Physicians Oppose Criminalization of Physician-Led Care
The AAFP strongly opposes any such effort to criminalize or penalize physicians for providing comprehensive care for their patients.
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/statements/family-physicians-oppose-criminalization-of-physician-led-care.html
Delegates Urge Advocacy on Access to Care, Other Issues
The 2021 Congress of Delegates this month adopted several measures related to AAFP advocacy, including a call for access to health care without tethering health insurance to employment and coverage of medication to address obesity.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/2021-cod-advocacy.html
Full Steam Ahead on Academy's Health IT Innovation Project
In this Leader Voices Blog post, AAFP Board Chair Michael Munger, M.D., offers an update on an Academy initiative that aims to develop health IT tools that are more useful and less burdensome than current products.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20190806lv-healthit.html
New Report Finds Medical School Diversity Rising
Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges indicates that the class of students who entered medical school in the United States in 2021-2022 is larger and more diverse than nearly any preceding class.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/medical-school-diversity.html
Rural Doc Working to Expand Access to Care
Brittney Anderson, M.D., is practicing in the rural, underserved area where she grew up and working to expose minority students to health professions.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/family-doc-focus-brittney-anderson.html
Reflecting on Health Disparities and Health Equity
In this post to the A Word from the President blog, Sterling Ransone, M.D. shares some of his personal experiences with implicit bias, health equity and health disparities, and reflects on the work that still needs to be done.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/wordfrompresident/entry/word-president-health-equity-implicit-bias.html
Evidence Inconclusive on Screening for Atrial Fibrillation
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently published a final recommendation statement, final evidence review and evidence summary on screening for atrial fibrillation.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/afib-screening-2022-update.html
AAFP Sees Equity Boost, Network Opportunities in Proposed Rule
In a recent letter, the AAFP told HHS that a 2023 rule should strengthen network adequacy and improve Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act coverage and enrollment.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20220203hhsltr.html
Teetering on the Edge of the Moral Injury Cliff
In her final Fresh Perspectives blog post, Kimberly Becher, M.D., describes how she nearly lost her life after ignoring for too long the emotional and physical symptoms of critical moral injury she traces back to patients’ COVID denial.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20220202fp-becher-moralinjury.html
AAFP Calls on CDC to Address Physician Stress, Burnout
In a recent letter, the Academy called on the CDC to address burnout and mental health in the medical workforce, particularly among primary care physicians.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20220202cdcstress.html
AAFP Forms Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
The AAFP Board of Directors recently approved the formation of the Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine to inform and guide recommendations, policies and work addressing disparities in care, health and the workforce.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20220131deicommission.html
NIH Seeks Input on Rural Telehealth Research Needs
A number of federal agencies have partnered in an initiative to explore what is known about the effectiveness of rural clinician-to-clinician telehealth and its impact on improving health outcomes and formulate strategies to close any research gaps.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20220127nihruraltelemed.html
Even Without In-person COD, All of Us Are Heard
As delegates review resolutions in reference committee reports, it’s time to remember that the Academy welcomes a diversity of member opinions.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/wordfrompresident/entry/20220127wfp-cod.html
This Is Our Chance to Shape Our Specialty’s Future
Three 2021 residency graduates share their opinions on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s proposed residency requirements for family medicine and urge others to participate in a public comment period.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20220121fp-acgme.html
Value Week Shows Our Push to Increase PC Investment
The AAFP is leading the charge to broaden and improve value-based payment — and continuing the fight for a stronger federal anti-pandemic strategy.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20220120itt-valueweek.html
New Research Links COVID-19 and Diabetes Risk in Youth
Findings from an analysis of health claims data have suggested an association between a diagnosis of COVID-19 and the development of diabetes in people younger than 18 years.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20220120coviddiabetes.html