CVS Health has launched a first-of-its-kind environmental initiative aimed at supporting people with health conditions that are vulnerable to extreme weather events.
The initiative uses environmental data analytics to provide real-time and localized forecasting on air quality, wildfires, weather and other environmental factors with a patient's medical and pharmacy data. The program is focusing first on extreme heat events to provide timely alerts and outreach to at-risk patients — it will expand in the fall to patients susceptible to reduced lung function, asthma and cardiac problems resulting from exposure to high levels of air pollution, according to an Aug. 1 news release.
Aetna members received first access, with the goal to expand to MinuteClinic and CVS Pharmacy locations.
Interventions include directing patients to CVS' resources, including Oak Street Health clinics available as cooling centers, health services at MinuteClinic locations, and medication management at CVS pharmacies.