Applying a community-focused approach to bridge the gap in rural heart healthcare

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.

“We are pleased to partner with BMS to improve access to care for people in rural communities,” said B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA, CEO of NCPA. “Community pharmacists and their teams are increasingly playing a bigger role in the healthcare of Americans, and we are excited to create new, sustainable models of pharmacy-based care.”

NCPA is also creating new access points at these same independent pharmacies that will result in new pathways to screening, monitoring and management of cardiovascular disease, funded through an independent grant by BMS. 

Partnering to create meaningful change 

At BMS, we have a deep understanding of the patient journey and extensive expertise in cardiovascular disease. As part of our unwavering commitment to advancing health equity, we believe it is our responsibility to help break down the barriers that prevent patients from getting the best possible care.

Through our combined commitment with NCPA, we are uniquely positioned to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities and support critical services that are too often out of reach for many populations and geographies. 

By addressing the healthcare challenges of today and supporting the important work of organizations like NCPA, we are not just treating diseases; we are doing our part to transform lives and build stronger, more resilient communities for the future.