Charting a new path for the treatment of

acute low back pain

Recommendations from the Low Back Pain Implementation Collaborative

The Low Back Pain Implementation Collaborative, a unique effort that brought together the top health care purchasers, providers, and plans in Washington, has released a brief detailing meticulously thought out recommendations to better treat acute low back pain. These recommendations outlined in the brief are the culmination of more than 18 months of work.

With this as a guide, we are confident we can stem the reliance on low-value, inappropriate care and ensure all Washingtonians are returning to a pain-free life.

Learn more about the Low Back Pain Collaborative's efforts

Now at the end of the 18-month collaborative effort, the Alliance has compiled resources, research, patient and provider guides, and a host of other materials to inform the treatment of acute low back pain. Please share these resources so we can ensure that all Washingtonians are getting the right care.

Visit the Collaborative Site

Join the Conversation in our upcoming webinars

Chronic Kidney Disease: Improving mortality rate through early diagnosis

Virtual – 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. PDT on Sept. 6

Chronic Kidney Disease impacts as many as one in seven adults in the U.S., but as many as 90% are unaware they have it. Left untreated, it can lead to severe illness, invasive treatment and death. But early screening and appropriate, timely treatment can dramatically improve an individual’s quality of life and decrease overall mortality rates.

Among the leading risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease is diabetes.

However, on average in Washington state, roughly three out of five residents with diabetes do not get appropriate kidney health evaluations, according to the Alliance’s 2023 Community Checkup report.

Join a panel of experts discussing how providers, health plans, and health care purchasers can drive market change to dramatically improve early diagnosis of this deadly chronic condition.

Read the full agenda here.

What you can expect to learn:

How Washington state performs when it relates to the diagnosis and early treatment of CKD with an emphasis on equity measures
The financial impact of CKD when proper early screening is not done
Best practices for early screening, diagnosis and treatment

Colon Cancer: Second leading cause of cancer death in Washington

Virtual – 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT on Sept. 20

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Washington state, according to the State Department of Health, yet the rate of preventative screenings continues to drop.

The latest research from the Washington Health Alliance shows that on average four out of 10 commercially insured residents are not receiving the proper screenings. The picture becomes bleaker when socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage is taken into account.

In our least advantaged communities across Washington, the average rate for colon cancer screening among commercially insured residents is 50%. For those with Medicaid, the rate drops to 30%.

However, the benefits of early screening could not be clearer: routine colonoscopies between age 50 and 75 reduced the incidence of colon cancer by as much as 88%, according to an American Cancer Society study.

With the right plan, healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare purchasers can act to ensure all residents get appropriate screenings to prevent this life-altering disease.

Join your peers from across the health care system to hear more about how to address the barriers to care and improve the health of our communities.

What you can expect to take away:

A clear picture of the existing care gaps and inequities in colorectal cancer screenings in Washington state.
The financial impact of the disease and the well-defined benefits of early screening and treatment.
What efforts can be taken through shared decision making and alternative screenings to ensuring that everyone is getting the appropriate care.
The framework of an action plan that all stakeholders, including healthcare providers, health plans and health care purchasers, can take to close the care gaps.

The Alliance welcomes a new member: Quest Diagnostics

The Alliance would like to welcome our newest member, Quest Diagnostics. This nationwide company will bring a valued, broad perspective to our ongoing conversations to improve the health of all Washingtonians by ensuring there is equitable, affordable, high-value care available to our residents.