We’ve all heard stories about patients who skip appointments because they have no transportation or rely solely on processed food because they can’t afford fresh produce. As the inequality gap between the rich and the poor grows, so does the health equity gap. According to the World Health Organization, social determinants of health account for 30–55 percent of health outcomes. So, what are healthcare organizations doing to overcome this challenge and ensure the best patient outcomes?
We’ve rounded up five of our most recent customer interviews to highlight their strategies around overcoming health equity and managing the social determinants of health needs of their communities.
Addressing Health Literacy
Understanding the needs of vulnerable patient populations is crucial for delivering effective care. For the team at Lawrence General Hospital, this includes addressing social determinants of health in a community where 40% of patients struggle with health literacy needs. In this interview, Lawrence’s CMO, George Kondylis, MD, shares how Lawrence's healthcare providers use analytics to identify these needs and are taking proactive steps, such as partnering with organizations to provide education and resources. This approach empowers providers to better understand and support their patients. You can view the full interview with Dr. Kondylis at Health Data Management.
A Mission Built on Health Equity
Not many healthcare organizations include health equity as the focal point of their mission. However, Humboldt Park Health’s commitment to advancing health equity has helped it to become only the 13th facility in the U.S. to achieve Healthcare Equity Certification from The Joint Commission.
Adding social determinants of health data into its Expanse EHR for patient screenings has helped the safety-net hospital capture SDOH factors such as housing stability, employment status, education level, access to food, and transportation availability to provide patients with the most holistic and patient-centered care possible. Today, staff are leveraging MEDITECH's Business and Clinical Analytics solution to identify leading health risks such as obesity and diabetes and using patient registries to effectively monitor those patients. Their mobile units also conduct over 5,000 no-cost healthcare visits to the community per year.
Listen to the Becker’s Podcast to hear from Humboldt's President & CEO José R. Sánchez and COO Daisy Rodriguez as they discuss the organization’s initiatives for supporting their underserved community, and read our news story on what factors led to their recent certification.
Providing Uniform Access to Care
At Frederick Health, healthcare teams prioritize patients with social risk factors or social determinants of health to ensure uniform access to care. In this video, CMIO Kristin Conley, DO, explains how providers can address patients' specific needs, such as transportation issues and financial strains, by including relevant data in documentation across outpatient and inpatient settings. This proactive approach helps coordinate care and ensure patients do not miss appointments. You can view the full interview with Dr. Conley at Health Data Management.
Quality Care Care Closer to Home
To cater to the growing needs of its community — which is largely Medicare and Medicaid-based — Emanate Health (Covina, CA) developed a state-of-the-art cancer center and is using grants to fund the development of a 60-bed emergency department. This expansion will ensure comprehensive care is accessible to all, particularly the underserved populations reliant on Medicare and Medicaid.
By placing essential services in the community, Emanate Health is dismantling obstacles to access and guaranteeing that high-quality care is not merely a privilege but a fundamental right. Now, patients struggling through cancer treatment may have a five-minute ride to receive treatment vs 30. Hear from CIO and fellow cancer survivor Dan Nash as he shares Emanate’s strategy. You can view the full interview with Dan Nash at Health Data Management.
Closing Care Gaps
Southern Ohio Medical Center is leveraging MEDITECH patient registries to track HEDIS measures and ensure patients receive the preventative care they need, especially those impacted by social determinants of health. In this video, Senior Medical Director Sarah Porter, DO, emphasizes the importance of capturing information in discrete data forms. She highlights the success of recent initiatives in closing care gaps and ensuring that preventative tests are conducted for patients. You can view the full interview with Dr. Porter at Health Data Management.
You can read more about MEDITECH’s Population Health strategy and customer successes by visiting our Population Health solution page.
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