CVS Health Encouraging Individuals to Prioritize Primary Health Care Needs

Time for Care, a campaign reinforcing the importance of accessing primary health care, has been launched by CVS Health to remind Americans of the importance of prioritizing their health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to the company.

"While we remain focused on reducing the spread of COVID-19, we also need to make sure that we're encouraging people to get the care they need to avoid worse health outcomes in the future particularly people with chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease," said Garth Graham, MD, MPH, Vice President, Community Health and Chief Community Health Officer for CVS Health, in a prepared statement. "The Time for Care campaign drives that message home while reminding everyone of the precautions they can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

A national television ad was launched as a part of the Time for Care campaign, along with a microsite, digital content, and Aetna member program components that address concerns for people with chronic health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as specific health issues such as high-risk pregnancies due to preeclampsia.

The campaign was based off results of a national survey conducted by Aetna and Morning Consult among 4400 Americans to identify barriers to accessing care amid the pandemic. Some of the key highlights include:

• Nearly 60% of respondents said they have canceled or delayed a health care appointment due to concerns about exposure to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
• Half of Americans have concerns about how the pandemic has negatively affected their own health or the health of someone in their household.
• Nearly 60% of people with chronic conditions are concerned the pandemic has negatively affected their own health or the health of someone in their household.
• Fifty percent of pregnant mothers are not confident their primary care physicians have put the necessary measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

REFERENCE

CVS Health launches “Time for Care” encouraging individuals to prioritize primary health care needs. https://www.cvshealth.com/news-and-insights/press-releases/cvs-health-launches-time-for-care-encouraging-individuals-to. Published July 15, 2020. Accessed July 23, 2020.