(NAPS)—When it comes to quality health care, not everyone in America has equal access. Gaps between the health status of minorities and nonminorities in the U.S. continue despite advances in health care and technology. Racial and ethnic minorities continue to have higher rates of disease, disability and premature death than nonminorities. Issues surrounding race, economic status and gender prevent people from getting the care they need and subsequently may determine the quality of care they receive. Fortunately, a new website aims to change that. Provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser- vices, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) CMSPULSE.org website (Portal to Understanding, Learning, Sharing and Educating) provides information and resources to improve the quality of care for all—with a special focus on underserved populations. CMSPULSE.org aims to reduce health disparities by providing information, research and education, and by working with community-based organizations. The site provides information and a library of resources for professionals and for the general public. The easy-to-use tools for the general public include a fitness journal and videos. Also available are general prevention education resources focused on diabetes. An easy-to-use site offers general health prevention resources. The site offers information on CMS’ Every Diabetic Counts (EDC) program and the Mississippi Health First (MHF) and TMF Health Quality Institute’s Salud por Vida/Health for Life initiative. The Salud por Vida initiative offers diabetes self-management education to underserved Medicare beneficiaries in the state of Texas. If interested, please call (800) 725-2633 or e-mail TMF at HealthForLife@tmf.org. More information about the EDC program, MHF Project and Salud por Vida/Health for Life initiative may be obtained by visiting the CMSPULSE.org website. CMS is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices.
