Addressing Health Equity Through Complete Trusted Data

During the early months of the pandemic, we saw the impact of a limited data view on COVID-19 testing and treatment. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) discovered that social determinants of health (SDOH), such as: access to education, economic stability and access to stable housing, significantly affect COVID-19 risks and health outcomes. Discrimination against racial and ethnic groups also was a key determinant in who was tested for the virus and, if they were to get sick, the severity of their symptoms, the CDC found.

By bolstering capabilities for data capture, enrichment and analysis, public health leaders can become better positioned to address and eliminate inequities in healthcare access and

Allscripts Hosts Developer Challenge: Advancing Health Equity Using Social Determinants of Health

Allscripts hosted its "Advancing Health Equity Using Social Determinants of Health Developer Challenge", in an effort to elevate solutions that use technology to share relevant social determinants of health patient information with care providers. Access to patients’ social determinants of health (SDOH) information is crucial in advancing health equity across patient populations—especially at a time when equitable access to healthcare is more important than ever. The event included a Keynote Fireside Chat with Dr. Micky Tripathi, the National Coordinator for Health IT, who shared an update on efforts by ONC and the Biden Administration more broadly to address the challenges associated with health inequities.

The Economics of Social Need

On a practical level, people experiencing food insecurity often are forced to choose between food and other essentials such as medications or the transportation necessary for their medical care. This becomes relevant for physicians who may have their quality performance scored by metrics, such as medication adherence or diabetes control. Both are influenced by SDOH. Government and private payors are increasingly reaching out to community organizers to create shared opportunities.  In this article, ACR explains how reaching out to community groups and having the confidence to engage in conversations with policymakers can create partnerships to advance population health management (PHM).

Health Systems, Health Care and Big Tech–It’s (Really) Complicated

Aaron Martin, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Innovation Officer for Providence explains what’s really happening with big tech and healthcare. 

ACP Says Employers and Others Can Require Proof of Vaccinations

The American College of Physicians (ACP) issued new policies supporting the promotion of vaccines in the interest of public safety and health; saying that the government may appropriately require employers, schools, public agencies, and organizations receiving federal funding to require employees or students show proof of vaccination with recommended immunizations against highly transmissible diseases during a public health emergency.

Social Determinants & Their Impact On Value, Better Outcomes

There is little doubt that social factors are powerful determinants of health and significantly impact health outcomes. What’s less known is the best way to leverage understanding about the importance of social determinants. Accenture examines this through a prism of past mistakes, and how electing to not look at social determinants in a siloed way can benefit to the individual (patient) and to healthcare systems.

Simplify Risk Contracting and Improve Quality Performance

Learn how Curation Health helps providers and health plans more accurately and efficiently address care gaps, enhance clinical documentation accuracy and specificity, and maximize performance on key quality and patient experience measures.

Northwell Health and Walgreens Announce Strategic Agreement

Northwell Health and Walgreens announced today they have signed a five-year strategic affiliation aimed at improving the health of populations and advancing health equity throughout New York State.

The agreement will explore the common goals of developing innovative health care delivery models, offerings and services that better the health of populations and reduce costs of healthcare by advancing the delivery of retail health services in relation to access, quality, equity, satisfaction and efficiency of care.

The Case For Consent: A Primer on Patient Privacy and Informed Consent

Authors and editors must critically assess whether consent for publication (distinct from consent for treatment) was truly given prior to writing or considering a case report for publication. When the patient is considered particularly vulnerable e.g. from a minority group, a child, a prisoner, having disabilities or diminished mental capacity etc. extra vigilance is needed. This similarly applies to medical emergency situations and when the patient is temporarily incapacitated, such as if they are placed in an induced coma.

NowPow Partners With Humana to Address Social Needs

Humana’s care management teams will use NowPow’s platform to screen members for health-related social needs at multiple touch points, including at its Neighborhood Centers. Once the member is screened, the NowPow platform will give members a personalized list of referrals to community services, like food delivery or support for social isolation. Referrals are matched to each member’s health needs, as well as their age, gender, eligibility, location and languages spoken. Humana and NowPow will work closely with community-based organizations to track referrals, which will foster engagement and provide insight into referral outcomes. This data will help efforts to map unmet needs in communities, informing future expansion of the referral network and supporting