Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the world, and getting timely screenings and care can mean the difference between being able to live a full life or succumbing to serious illness or death. In rural America, however, limited access to cardiovascular care is leading to disparities in patient outcomes.
For many rural residents, getting cardiovascular care — whether it’s a screening, a doctor’s visit or a diagnostic test — can mean a long drive to another county, months of waiting for an appointment or time away from work without pay. The latest data only underscores the urgent need for action: adults in rural areas face a 19% higher risk of developing heart failure and are 1.5 times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to adults in urban areas.
At Bristol Myers Squibb, we’re committed to changing that by breaking down the barriers that prevent patients from understanding their risks, reaching the right specialists and navigating their care. That’s why we’re supporting the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), to tackle disparities in rural cardiovascular health across six states and bring care closer to communities, meeting patients where they are.
Revitalizing heart health infrastructure in rural areas
For people in rural areas, community pharmacies are often the most accessible location for essential health services.
NCPA is piloting a program with our support in community pharmacies across Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri. Together, we created a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip pharmacy technicians with community health worker (CHW) training and NCPA is now delivering this specialized training across 25 pharmacies, aimed at preparing pharmacy technicians to recognize patients at high risk of CVD. Working under the oversight of a pharmacist, these trained pharmacy technicians will gain the skills needed to make patient referrals and track healthcare histories over time, helping ensure that patients receive the right tests and treatments when they need them.
This initiative has the potential to change the face of cardiovascular care in rural America — delivering lifesaving support directly to the communities that need it most.
