SDoH Strategy, Programs, and Infrastructure: The 3 Keys to Building a Network of Community-Based Organizations

How HCOs are addressing SDoH in populations with chronic conditions

Last Friday was World Hypertension Day. This chronic condition—also known as high blood pressure—affects more than 75 million people in the United States, but only 54 percent of people who have hypertension say they have their condition under control. In 2014, hypertension was the primary or contributing cause of death for more than 410,000 Americans—that’s 1,000 people per day who are fatally affected by hypertension. In addition to contributing to poor health outcomes, hypertension also costs $48.6 billion to treat each year.

How healthcare organizations are using technology to address the social determinants of health

Technology can be a powerful tool for organizations seeking to address the social determinants of health (SDoH) within their communities. As healthcare organizations (HCOs) continue to take innovative approaches to value-based care delivery and address SDoH, they’re also looking toward groundbreaking technology to support their initiatives.

Why coordination is the key to addressing SDoH-related asthma triggers

Today is World Asthma Day, and on this day, we are reminded that the social determinants of health (SDoH) have a significantly adverse effect on children and adults who are exposed to environmental factors like allergens, tobacco smoke, and indoor and outdoor air pollution. Asthma is a major contributor to disease and disability in children, and social factors have given rise to unhealthy residential environments where risk factors of asthma are clustered.

How HCOs are leveraging alternative payment models to address SDoH

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a significant funding opportunity for states and local governments looking to invest in social determinants of health (SDoH). The opportunity stems from a little-known provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018: the Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act (SIPPRA). Of the $100 million appropriated under the law, the Treasury Department has allocated nearly $66.3 million to finance outcomes-based payments for “social impact partnership projects.”

New supplemental benefit coverage may help address SDoH amongst seniors

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized new Medicare Advantage payment policies for 2020 that will increase competition among health plans, so patients receive higher quality care at lower costs. The changes announced by CMS will increase plan choices and benefits, allowing seniors the option to choose Medicare Advantage plans that offer supplemental benefits customized to their specific needs. Additionally, the new policies will also give chronically ill patients with Medicare Advantage plans access to a range of supplemental benefits that aren’t exactly health-related, but may improve or maintain their overall health.

April is Minority Health Month and this year’s theme is “Active and Healthy”

April is minority health month, and while minority communities continue to increase in population size, the unfortunate truth is that these groups often face significant health disparities. Research shows that health disparities among racial and ethnic groups serve as a barrier to health equity across a range of diseases.

Healthcare organizations are leveraging ICD-10 codes to identify and address SDoH

Earlier today, UnitedHealthcare and the American Medical Association (AMA) announced a new collaboration to improve the way the social determinants of health are identified and addressed to improve access to care and patient outcomes. Through the new partnership, UnitedHealthcare and the AMA aim to standardize the collection, processing and integration of SDoH data.

In 2017, the U.S. spent nearly $3.5 trillion, or 18 percent of the GDP, on health expenditures – more than double the average among developed countries. Despite paying more than triple per person on healthcare, the U.S. continues to have the lowest average lifespan in contrast to other nations.