The Key To Improving Population Health And Reducing Disparities: Primary Care Investment
Health Affairs July 27, 2022
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enabled millions of Americans to obtain health insurance. Yet, having an insurance card doesn’t guarantee access to care.
Primary care teams play a critical role in prevention, controlling common chronic diseases, addressing social determinants of health, and coordinating testing and specialist care when it’s needed. Over time, they become trusted advocates for patient health and well-being. US adults are the least likely population in the world to have a longstanding relationship with a primary care provider due to an eroding of primary care infrastructure in the nation. Absent such relationships, many get lost or ignored by our health care system. Negative patient experiences fuel distrust and a lack of patient engagement. Americans’ health suffers as...