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The FDA has issued a public health advisory warning “consumers to stay away from the herbal supplement kratom, saying regulators are aware of 36 deaths linked to products containing the substance.” The use of the supplement has increased in recent years as a treatment for anxiety, depression, pain, and opioid withdrawal. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said that kratom is not approved by the FDA for any use, and that there is no “reliable evidence” to support the claim that kratom is a safe treatment for opioid abuse or addiction. Gottlieb also said that the substance can have similar effects as opioids, “and carries similar risks of abuse, addiction and, in some cases, death.” At Tria Health, our pharmacists counsel patients on all their prescription medications AND over-the-counter vitamins and herbal supplements. It’s imperative to understand exactly what each item is supposed to accomplish for your health, AND whether there are any potential drug interactions. If you are taking kratom, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist about this potentially dangerous herbal supplement. For more information, visit the FDA website here. #DrugInteractions #herbalsupplements #DrugTherapyProblems #ChronicCareManagement #Kratom #MedicationTherapyManagement

Image Source: iStock.com/Vladographer Each year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout event. Encourage someone you know to use this day to create a plan to quit! Quitting smoking is an important step toward a healthier life and reducing cancer risk. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately “36.5 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the world. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits at any age. Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. Getting help through counseling or medications can double or triple the chances of quitting successfully.” A Tria Health Solution S.T.O.P. Stop Tobacco by Optimizing Pharmacists Tria Health provides personalized chronic condition management (CCM) to help employers and health plans mitigate risks and control health care costs. In addition to our Pharmacy Advocate program, Specialty GuardRx and Rx Plan Protection Suite, Tobacco users impose significant excess cost to private employers. Tria Health’s S.T.O.P. program has an overall 42% success rate of getting members to 90 days tobacco free! Tria pharmacists develop a personalized quit plan which helps to improve success because every smoker has unique needs. They base the plan on many factors including: level of motivation, barriers to quitting, treatment options, and more. They provide on-going support to members to ensure success. If you or someone you know are still smoking cigarettes, all of us at Tria Health encourage you to use The Great American Smokeout on November 16th to create a plan to quit! #QuitSmoking2017 #QuitSmoking2018 #TheGreatAmericanSmokeout #TobaccoCessation

World Diabetes Day (WDD) was initiated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 1991 along with the World Health Organization (WHO) due to growing concerns about the increasing health threat posed by diabetes. With the passing of the United Nation Resolution, World Diabetes Day became an official UN day in 2006. World Diabetes Day is November 14th, and this day was chosen to honor Sir Frederick Banting, the gentleman who co-discovered insulin. In 1922, Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin and revolutionized the treatment of diabetes. World Diabetes Day aims to: Be the platform to promote IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year. Be the global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue. Each year the IDF chooses a new focus area to celebrate World Diabetes Day. The 2017 World Diabetes Day chosen theme is “Women and diabetes—our right to a healthy future.” Why a focus on women in 2017? 1 in 7 births is affected by gestational diabetes. 1 in 10 women are living with diabetes. Many do not have access to proper screenings, education, treatment or care. There are 199 Million women in the world with diabetes. That is expected to increase to 313 Million women by the year 2040. Diabetes is a leading cause of death in women, and the IDF is working to help all women with diabetes get affordable access to care and education to better manage this chronic condition. Tria Health is Making a Difference in Diabetes Care Tria Health has an innovative telehealth solution that improves overall care for patients  by educating patients about their disease state(s) and medication regimen to improve clinical outcomes. Each patient has unique needs. At Tria Health, we counsel the whole patient, not just one condition. Our wireless meter and strip program allows the patient to share real time glucose readings with our pharmacists and other providers, as well as calculating the precise insulin needs for users. Our program improves care for patients and reduces costs and waste for employers. At Tria Health our pharmacists are CDE’s, Certified Diabetes Educators. The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators defines a CDE is a health professional who possess comprehensive knowledge of and experience in prediabetes, diabetes prevention and management. A CDE educates and supports people affected by diabetes to understand and manage the condition. We strive to do more than our part to manage the risks of diabetes to our patients and employer clients. “Act Today to Change Tomorrow” For more information, go to: www.worlddiabetesday.org #WorldDiabetesDay2017 #WorldDiabetesDay #Diabetes #MedicationTherapyManagement #ChronicConditionManagement

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. The good news is that the answer to whether it’s preventable is a resounding YES! In fact, prevention is a big deal! It’s even more so important if you have an increased risk of diabetes. Some of these risks include having a family history of the disease, being overweight, or a diagnosis of prediabetes. The CDC reports that “prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.” More than 83 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Of those people with prediabetes, approximately 90% don’t know they have it. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke. You can have prediabetes for years but experience no symptoms. Because of this, it often goes undetected until serious health problems arise. Concerned about your risks? Complete the Tria Health Diabetes Risk Assessment and discuss your results with your doctor! Are You at Risk for Diabetes? In the United States, diabetes affects approximately 30.3 million people (CDC, 2017) and is the 7th leading cause of death. Timely screening can lead to early diagnosis which slows the disease progression and ultimately long-term complications such as heart attacks, neuropathy, and irreversible kidney damage, among others. The American Diabetes Association recommends the following screening guidelines: ALL adults who fit the BMI criteria and 1 or more risk factors should be screened at any age Adults who meet the BMI criteria without an extra risk factor can wait until 45 years old for screening Testing should be repeated at least every 3 years for those with normal results Diabetes Risk Factors: BMI greater than or equal to 25 (for Asian Americans the cut-off is greater than or equal to 23) Physical Inactivity Parent(s) or sibling(s) with diabetes High-risk race/ethnicity (African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander) You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 lbs You had gestational diabetes High blood pressure (above 149/90 mmHg) or you take medications to treat high blood pressure HDL cholesterol (the “good cholesterol”) less than 35 mg/dL Triglyceride level above 250 mg/d: Diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome You have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes on previous testing You have other clinical conditions associated with insulin resistance You have a history of cardiovascular disease If you have any of the risk factors above, talk to your doctor to see if additional testing is needed. For more information, visit www.diabetes.org What Can You Do to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes? At Tria Health, our pharmacists are Certified Diabetes Educators who evaluate patients at risk for Type 2 diabetes and work with those patients to institute lifestyle modifications and dietary changes that have been proven to prevent the development of diabetes. Some lifestyle modifications you may consider include: More physical activity. Research shows that aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes. The greatest benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both. Eat plenty of fiber. Fiber reduces your risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control, lowering your risk of heart disease and also promotes weight loss by helping you feel full. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and nuts. Eat whole grains. Research is pending, so it’ still unclear why, but whole grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels. Lose extra weight. Staying at a healthy weight can help you prevent and manage problems like prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol. Make healthy food choices A diet which balances protein and carbohydrates, and also plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains is best to maintain a healthy blood sugar. #Diabetes #DiabetesPrevention #DiabetesRiskFactors #DiabetesRiskQuiz

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects 30 million Americans, including 8.1 million people who are undiagnosed.  Another 86 million more—one in three adults—have prediabetes and 15-30 percent will develop diabetes within five years without change. The Scary Statistics People with type 2 diabetes have more than two times the risk for developing heart disease People with diabetes live 7-8 years less Two out of three deaths in people with type 2 diabetes are attributed to cardiovascular disease Less than half of people with diabetes are aware of their risk of cardiovascular disease. This lack of awareness prevents people with diabetes and their health care providers from addressing risks and improving health. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease states that “the increased co-occurrence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease demands greater awareness to save lives and health care dollars.” At Tria Health, that’s precisely what we do—we manage the whole patient, and discuss all their conditions, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and their lifestyle. Our pharmacists educate their patients about their medications and make recommendations to the patients and their prescribing physicians to improve clinical outcomes. A Tria Health Patient Success Story During an initial pharmacist consultation, it was documented that the patient’s HgbA1c was too high – indicating poorly controlled Diabetes. In addition, the patient had significant financial difficulties affording certain medications increasing medication non-adherence. The patient was initially prescribed Metformin, but stopped taking the medication due to stomach problems without replacing it with any other diabetes medication. The pharmacist recommended a prescription of Glimepiride since it is inexpensive, very effective, and generally well tolerated. The patient’s physician agreed with the recommendation and the patient has achieved a HgbA1c of 8% in one year In addition, the Tria pharmacist recommended switching from brand-named Benicar-HCT, a blood pressure medication, to a similarly available generic blood pressure medication called Losartan-HCTZ. The generic version saved the member $40 every 30 days and the patient’s blood pressure remains well controlled on Losartan-HCTZ. The patient initially had success and then set-backs with smoking cessation. The Tria pharmacist worked with them to achieve sustained smoking cessation and improved health by identifying appropriate therapies and by providing ongoing education and coaching. This success story illustrates that by managing the whole patient, and all their conditions, can and will improve clinical and financial outcomes. #Diabetes #HeartDisease #NationalDiabetesHeartConnectionDay #SmokingCessation

The Facts: According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2017, prepared by the CDC, here are some  important facts about diabetes. 30.3 million people have diabetes – that’s 1 in 11 Americans 84 million are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes – 90% don’t know they have it Medical costs for people with diabetes are 2.3 times greater than people without diabetes Risk of death for adults with diabetes is 50% higher than for adults without diabetes Types of Diabetes: There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction that stops your body from making insulin. About 5% of the people with diabetes have type 1. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop quickly. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults. Those with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to survive. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t use insulin well and is unable to keep blood sugar at normal levels. Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in adults. You may not notice any symptoms, so it’s important to get your blood sugar tested if you’re at risk. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes. Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby could be at higher risk for health complications. Gestational diabetes is typically cured after your baby is born, but this increases your risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. Your baby is more likely to become obese as a child or teen, and more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. People that have diabetes are at a higher risk of serious health complications including stroke, blindness, kidney disease, heart disease and loss of toes, feet or legs. Diabetes is a disease that can be managed and prevented if you know what to do. At Tria Health our pharmacists who are certified diabetes educators (CDEs). They educate patients on medication management, diet and exercise so patients with diabetes can live happy and active lives and reduce the risk of serious health complications. Find out more. Stay tuned to our blog this month to learn tips for preventing type 2 diabetes, determine your personal risks and MORE! #Diabetes #HealthcareFacts #NationalDiabetesAwarenessMonth

Image Source: iStock.com/CHAIWATPHOTOS Tria Health is promoting the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day which is tomorrow October 28th, 2017 from 10am – 2pm.  To find a location near you, go to DEA Diversion website. Disposing of medications safely can help protect your family from getting or using medications that are expired or out of date; prevent the illegal use of unused medications and minimize any potential negative impact on the environment. For this reason, the DEA is giving the public an opportunity to dispose of unwanted and/or expired prescription drugs. This is a FREE and anonymous service—take medications back, no questions asked! What You Should Know The DEA can ONLY accept pills or patches. The DEA CANNOT accept liquids, needles or sharps. Last April, Americans turned in over 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. This initiative addresses both public safety and health concerns. Prescription medications left to expire in people’s homes are susceptible to misuse or abuse. Prescription drug abuse rates and overdose and accidental poisoning statistics are frighteningly high in the United States. Studies show that the majority or abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, or from home medicine cabinets. The DEA now advises against “usual methods” for disposing of unused medications. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash now both pose potential safety and health concerns. Where to Find More Information For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 28, 2017 Drug Take Back Day event, to the DEA Diversion website #medication #DrugTakeback #SafetyFirst #PrescriptionSafety #medicationmanagement

Image Source: iStock.com/robeo Join Tria Health for a learning opportunity to understand how companies can improve their bottom line by implementing Chronic Condition Management. Health care costs continue to skyrocket, increasing the need for innovative cost containment strategies. On average, 20% of members drive 82% of medical and prescription health care costs. The key to controlling these costs is to help this high-risk plan population manage their costly condition(s). Tria Health’s patient-centered approach to Chronic Condition Management (CCM) is a proven solution to improve clinical health outcomes and provide a cost-containment solution for employers. Who Should Attend? Self-Insured Employers Consultants Brokers What Will You Learn? The high costs and health risks associated with the mismanagement of medications. How Tria’s chronic condition management improves health and reduces total health care costs. See how one client saw a reduction in medical claims costs with effective chronic condition management. May I Ask Questions? Yes—please do! Tria Health will provide an opportunity at the end of the session for Q&A. We welcome an opportunity to clarify how we are controlling these costs. When Is this Fabulous Event? Tuesday, November 7th from 10am-11am, Central Time Register today! #ImprovetheBottomLine #ImproveHealth #webinar #ChronicConditionManagement #Education #ReduceClaimsCosts

What Do You Need to Know? Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women. In fact, 1 in 8 women could develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The World Health Organization reports that “early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.” Make sure that you are practicing the recommended steps for early detection: Breast self-awareness Well-Woman exams Mammograms How Can You Lower Your Lifestyle-Related Breast Cancer Risk Factors? While there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, there are some risk factors that can be changed and may lower your risk of developing breast cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that “a risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease, such as breast cancer. But having a risk factor, or even many, does NOT meant that you are sure to get the disease.” Certain breast cancer risk factors are related to lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise. What can you do to decrease your risk factors? Limit Alcohol Consumption Drinking alcohol is linked to increased risks of breast cancer. “Compared with non-drinkers, women who have 1 alcoholic drink a day have a very small increase in risk. Those who have 2-3 drinks a day have approximately a 20% higher risk compared to women who don’t drink all.” Excessive alcohol consumption is known to increase the risk of other cancers also. The American Cancer Society recommends that women who drink have no more than 1 drink per day. Get to and Stay at a Healthy Weight Being overweight or obese after menopause may increase breast cancer risk. “After menopause, most of a woman’s estrogen comes from fat tissue. Having more fat tissue after menopause can raise estrogen levels and increase your risks.” Be Physically Active Exactly how physical activity might reduce breast cancer risk isn’t clear, but it may be due to its effects on body weight, inflammation, hormones and energy balance. “The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferably spread throughout the week.” Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet Most studies of American women have not found a link between breast cancer and fat in the diet. However, studies have shown that breast cancer is less common in countries where the diet is low in total fat, polyunsaturated fat, and saturated fat. High-fat diets can lead to being overweight or obese, which is a known risk factor of breast cancer. How can you help? Money posted an article on September 29, 2017 outlining different ways to give, outlining who you’re trying to help and shows explanations regarding where the money goes. The article identified the “five best breast cancer charities where you can feel confident that your dollars will be put to good use funding prevention research, education, and patient support.” Not to mention, by giving directly to a charity, you get to report the tax-deductible contribution. #Money #BreastCancerAwareness #Cancer #TheAmericanCancerSociety #WorldHealthOrganization #BreastCancer #Education

On Monday, September 25, Tria Health, a chronic condition and medication management company, and MedTrakRx, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and division of EnvisionRxOptions, hosted the sixth annual Folds of Honor ProAm Golf Tournament at Milburn Country Club in Overland Park, Kan. The event raised a record $100,000 to fund educational scholarships for spouses and children of fallen heroes. “For the past six years we have been actively involved in providing support for Folds of Honor through the ProAm Golf Tournament. We are proud to provide hope and healing to the families that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We continue to appreciate the support we get from our partners and vendors in Kansas City and across the country”, said Larkin O’Keefe, President of Tria Health. He added, “This year we were able to exceed our goals thanks to everyone who participated, especially our Title Sponsors, Rite Aid and Mediware.” Since the beginning of this event,  we have been able to raise over $400,000 for Folds of Honor. Folds of Honor, established in 2007, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to families of America’s fallen and wounded soldiers in an effort to provide hope and healing. Of the 1-million-plus dependents adversely affected by deployments, nearly nine out of 10 do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance. “When I was left as a widow at the age of 36 with five very young children, I felt our Tria Health is honored to continually support Folds of Honor. If you want more information on how you can get involved in this event, please contact January Pointer at 913-601-5046 or info@triahealth.com. #ProAm #Golftournament #Healing #philanthropy #Scholarships #givingback #MedicationTherapyManagement #Hope #FoldsOfHonor

October is an important month in healthcare! October is American Pharmacists Month AND October 21st is National Check Your Meds Day! What is National Check Your Meds Day? “Consumer Reports found that 53% of patients get their drugs from more than one healthcare provider. Perhaps more worryingly, only 50% of patents have ever asked their doctor to review their list of medications and 35% had never had ANY healthcare professional examine their lists.” For this reason, Consumer Reports is sponsoring National Check Your Meds Day. Lisa Gill, Deputy Director for Consumer Reports, says “Pharmacists are a terrific resource” for helping to identify problem medications. She also said, “My hope is that people take their meds to a pharmacist they trust.” Tria Health’s specially trained pharmacists provide necessary education and coordination of care to improve condition management. Pharmacists are the best healthcare providers to identify potential drug interactions, medication side effects, and dosing issues. Tria Health’s pharmacists can communicate this knowledge to patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers. Tria Health offers this service regularly, as part of our Pharmacy Advocate and Specialty GuardRx programs. Comprehensive Medication Review (a/k/a Brown Bag Review) A brown bag review is your opportunity to speak with a clinical pharmacist to review all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements. During this review, pharmacists will help you better understand your medications, and ensure that you are taking the right combination of medications for your individual health needs. Ready for your Employees to Schedule a Brown Bag Review? Skip the lines at your pharmacy and call Tria Health today at 913-322-8456! #health #chronicconditions #medication #AmericanPharmacistMonth #prescriptions #October #comprehensivemedicationreview #healthcare #NationalCheckYourMeds

Image Source: iStock.com/CatLane The 2017-2018 flu season is upon us.  It is important to begin getting your vaccination now.  The flu shot takes about 2 weeks to work.  Your immunity will last through the spring. Here are five of the biggest flu season questions answered. I’m healthy, Do I really need the flu vaccine? Yes.  Influenza is a contagious disease which affects the lungs and can lead to a more serious illness.  The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone 6 months of age or older.  Some individuals are at more risk of complications of the flu vaccine and should consider vaccination including pregnant women, older people, and individuals with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. When is the right time to get the vaccine, can I get it too early? Now is the right time to get the flu vaccine.  Flu activity can begin as early as October and last well into March.  If the influenza virus is circulating, you should still get the flu vaccine.  Flu season can often last into the spring, and sooner you get vaccinated, the more effective it will be. But can I get the flu from the vaccine? No, you can’t. Flu vaccines  are developed using dead or weakened viruses that allow your body to develop the antibodies needed to fight the infection, but that won’t actually cause the disease. Flu-like symptoms can be related to other viral illnesses and you can potentially contract the flu virus while you are waiting for your immunity to build up from the vaccine.  You cannot catch the flu from the vaccine. What are the symptoms of the flu? The flu is a respiratory illness, and it’s usually spread through the air by people coughing and sneezing. The most common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue.  The flu is generally much more severe than the common cold, but the symptoms can be similar. The flu tends to develop very quickly and can cause much more severe complications like pneumonia or bacterial infections. A test can be done in the first few days of infection that can determine if you have the flu or a cold. How do I prevent spread of the flu? The most effective thing you can do to protect yourself from the flu is to get a vaccine if you haven’t already. Other important ways to help prevent the flu include: wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  If you do develop symptoms, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the flu to those around you. #fightflu #FluSeason #flushot