[From AHRQ Electronic Newsletter, Issue #237, August 28,2007]

HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell and AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy announced on August 23 that eight communities will participate in an HHS pilot initiative to improve the health and quality of life of Hispanic elders. The metropolitan areas of Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, McAllen, TX, Miami, New York San Antonio, and San Diego, have been selected to take part in the pilot project launched earlier this year by HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt titled "Improving Hispanic Elders' Health: Community Partnerships for Evidence-Based Solutions." This unique collaboration is designed to help communities work together to develop coordinated strategies for improving Hispanic elders' access to important benefits, including the new Medicare prescription drug and prevention benefits as well as low-cost evidence-based prevention programs such as the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and other initiatives that can reduce health disparities. Select to read the Administration on Aging press release available here.