The 6:18 initiative targets 6 common and costly health conditions using 18 proven interventions. 6:18 is a national initiative of the CDC that can be implemented in every community and practice setting. From the 6:18 website:
CDC is partnering with health care purchasers, payers, and providers to improve health and control health care costs. CDC provides these partners with rigorous evidence about high-burden health conditions and associated interventions to inform their decisions to have the greatest health and cost impact. This initiative offers proven interventions that prevent chronic and infectious diseases by increasing their coverage, access, utilization and quality. Additionally, it aligns evidence-based preventive practices with emerging value-based payment and delivery models.
By 6|18, we mean that we are targeting six common and costly health conditions – tobacco use, high blood pressure, healthcare-associated infections, asthma, unintended pregnancies, and diabetes – and, initially, 18 proven specific interventions that formed the starting point of discussions with purchasers, payers, and providers. The number of interventions may fluctuate over time.