Surveillance of the Initiation of, Participation in, and Completion of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Minnesota, 2017-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based secondary prevention program designed to improve cardiovascular health after a cardiac event. The objective of our study was to identify gaps in CR use among publicly and privately insured people in Minnesota to assist in developing shared goals among public health, cardiac rehabilitation professionals, and program delivery sites to improve CR delivery. METHODS: We applied a published claims-based surveillance methodology to the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database to assess eligibility for, initiation of, participation in, and completion of CR by patients with qualifying events in 2017. We stratified results by sociodemographic and geographic factors and qualifying condition and used adjusted prevalence ratios to make statistical comparisons. RESULTS: Less than half (47.6%) of qualifying patients initiated CR within 1 year of their qualifying event; the rate was higher among men (vs women), adults aged 45 to 64 years (vs ≥65 y), and patients with commercial or Medicaid insurance coverage (vs Medicare). Among those who initiated CR, only 14.0% completed the full series of 36 sessions. Participation in at least 12 sessions and completion of 36 sessions was less likely among adults aged 18 to 64 (vs 65-74 y) and among patients covered by Medicaid (vs Medicare). Patterns of CR initiation, participation, and completion also varied geographically. CONCLUSION: This analysis expands on previous Medicare fee-for-service population CR surveillance and provides a first detailed look at the CR landscape in Minnesota, renewing attention to CR as a key secondary prevention strategy. Collaboration and sharing with partners has established the Minnesota Department of Health as a valuable partner in driving health system change to improve equitable provision of CR in Minnesota.

Diabetes Treatment, Control, and Hospitalization Among Adults Aged 18 to 44 in Minnesota, 2013-2015.

INTRODUCTION: Of more than 300,000 adult Minnesotans who have received a diagnosis of diabetes, 16% are younger than 45 years; however, state diabetes surveillance data primarily describe older adults. National reports suggest adults younger than 45 years are less likely than older adults with diabetes to meet blood glucose (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) goals. For this study on age-specific differences, we examined Minnesota data sets to determine if younger adults (ie, aged 18-44 y) are less likely to meet HbA1c goals and if hospitalization patterns differ from older adults (ie, aged 45-74 y) with diabetes. METHODS: We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to describe demographic characteristics and health behaviors of people with diabetes, clinical quality data to assess HbA1c levels, and hospital discharge data to assess reasons for hospitalization. RESULTS: Compared with older adults with diabetes, adults aged 18 to 44 were more likely to use tobacco and to have had depression; these younger adults were less likely to report having HbA1c levels checked in the last year. According to age-specific cutoffs, 40.5% of 18- to 44-year-olds met HbA1c goals versus 74.7% of people aged 45 to 64 and 84.4% of people aged 65 to 74. Hospitalization rates for diabetes as a primary cause were highest among 18- to 44-year-olds at 47 per 1,000 adults with diabetes, much higher than older ages. Hospitalization rates for mental health problems were higher among younger adults. CONCLUSION: Our analysis confirmed that 18- to 44-year-olds with diabetes have poorer HbA1c control than older adults with diabetes. These results underscore the importance of age-based public health surveillance of diabetes. Age-stratified surveillance can inform efforts to monitor clinical care quality and to design clinical/public health interventions.