American Hospital Association July 2, 2019
You have probably heard of the social determinants of health, or how the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age affect health.
Since these determinants account for up to 80 percent of our well-being and disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, addressing them is crucial to our nation’s overall health. In my work with AHA’s The Value Initiative, I have seen hospitals and health systems enhance the patient experience, improve outcomes and reduce cost by addressing patients’ social needs. For example, hospitals and health systems have partnered with rideshare companies to ensure patients keep follow-up appointments, stocked their own food pantries with healthy options and even invested in affordable housing, among other important efforts.
Addressing the social...