Oregon Public Broadcasting delves into how Kaiser Permanente is using “life situation forms” and patient navigators to better support the holistic needs of patients, including social factors such as rent, transportation, and child care. The idea is that “making [a patient’s] life easier might keep her healthier and in turn keep Kaiser’s medical costs lower.” The story focuses on the life situation form and the associated medical codes for social determinants of health. Having access to this socio-economic data can more accurately inform how hospitals serve patients, as well as how doctors better care for each individual patient. Kaiser is attempting to go even further with this approach by partnering with the Oregon Food Bank and finding ways to support more affordable housing for patients.
Addressing the social determinants of health for Delawareans is the primary goal of DCHI’s Healthy Neighborhoods initiative, which focuses on four statewide priority areas: healthy lifestyles; maternal and child health; mental health and addiction; and chronic disease prevention and management. By working with multiple statewide stakeholders from government, local health systems, community organizations, insurers, and area employers, and by building on existing infrastructure in each of the 10 targeted regions across the state, Healthy Neighborhoods is moving Delaware closer to its goal of being one of the five healthiest states in the nation. For more information, please visit us at https://www.dehealthinnovation.org/.
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