Lilly Stairs

Another great piece from Laurie Zephyrin and her team at Commonwealth highlighting the opportunity for community based OB care models including birth centers to improve access and reduce race-based disparities in maternal health. This lays out the economic challenges that these groups often confront due to reimbursement challenges. We have to figure out how to bring midwife-led care and birth centers into value-based networks so these groups are rewarded for the quality and cost effectiveness they can bring, and so that the models are sustainable and scalable. https://lnkd.in/gKWM2eYZ

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If we want to see long-term investment in improving #HealthEquity, it can't only be done through short-term #grant programs from foundations. It has to be done through long-term payment policy that seeks to create lasting and durable financial flows toward specific equity-focused strategic objectives.   With this in mind, it’s great to see Boston Children's Hospital join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts’ pay-for-equity financial payment model! https://bit.ly/3wqqDaM    Many aspects of BCBSMA’s pay-for-equity model are crucial to building sustainable improvements in equity, but one of the most notable is that it is driven by data. BCBSMA has helped set its health system partners up for success by investing in data that helps identify where equity gaps exist in key performance areas. New data collection systems gather better information from patient populations on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, and gender identity.    BCBSMA team members use this information to create public health equity report cards for some of the largest health systems in Massachusetts, as well as report cards for individual health systems. Individual report cards help organizations understand how they compare on specific measures relative to their peers. With better and more refined data, providers and payers can see and tackle opportunities for improvement with greater clarity.    It’s been an honor for IHI to help BCBSMA advance its health equity journey. Congrats to them, Boston Children’s, and everyone out there that’s committing their time, talent, and resources to achieving more equitable outcomes.

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Interested in how women's health beyond fertility & maternity impacts employers' medical budget? My co-founder, Shelly Lanning, recently had a keynote presentation at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health (GPBCH) on how employers can better support women's healthcare. Women's health is one of the biggest cost drivers for employers, often accounting for upwards of 1 in 5 healthcare dollars. However, most employers don't realize how large of a spend women's health is because claims aren't classified appropriately. Women's health is so much more than fertility & maternity, and taking a broader view of women's health can help identify areas where we can drive better outcomes AND reduce costs. #womenshealth #digitalhealth #virtualcare #healthtech

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It's truly remarkable to witness the strides made in obesity management in recent years. The landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with a plethora of new tools and innovative approaches emerging to support individuals on their path to better health. From groundbreaking medical interventions to cutting-edge technologies, the arsenal against obesity has never been more robust. Yet, amid this wave of progress, significant challenges persist, hindering our collective efforts to combat the #ObesityEpidemic. Stigma, bias, and misinformation continue to loom large, casting a shadow over the importance of compassionate, evidence-based care. I invite you to join the conversation by tuning in to the latest episode of CLYDE Collision Podcast featuring Linda Shapiro Manning, MD, PhD. A passionate advocate and seasoned physician in #ObesityManagement, Dr. Shapiro sheds light on how we can overcome these barriers through a more thoughtful lexicon that fosters empathy, empowerment, and effective communication.

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Next week I will be a speaker at the Aspen Institute’s @AspenDigital's inaugural Product Equity Summit. 👇🏾 Here are my talking points for discussion with the summit attendees: 🎤 Community (patient) engagement and intersectionality when designing products and solutions  🎤 The role data plays in addressing disparities in health and what lessons we can learn as it relates to data collection; referencing women’s health data gaps and diagnosis challenges as examples 🎤 Emerging trends or technologies I foresee shaping the future of health equity and the healthcare industry more broadly (federated machine learning, synthetic data, patient opt-in data generation/collection methods) What did I miss? Are there points you think I should discuss? Let me know in the comments below👇🏾 or send me a message 📩 . I'm looking forward to learning from and getting to know other innovators dedicated to health equity. If you are in DC, consider attending the summit. The three-day event unites product equity leaders within tech and key civil society stakeholders in a collective effort to advance industry standards and collaboration in product equity. #TechAccountabilityCoalition #WomensHealth #Healthequity #ResponsibleAI #TechForAll #ProductInclusion #ProductEquity

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We continue to learn how artificial intelligence can be helpful with productivity, accessibility, and much more. While a useful tool, AI also has the ability to transform our healthcare systems, but this cannot happen without prioritizing diverse datasets. To create a meaningful, lasting impact on health equity, we must ensure that our tools are built with the right data. More equitable healthcare systems are possible if we prioritize diverse datasets, address disparities, and intentionally factor in their connection as we create solutions. Learn more about how we can utilize diverse datasets to create more equitable healthcare outcomes. ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3wGtpZr #DataDiversity #AI #HealthEquity

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Excited to share the launch of an impactful initiative in Pittsburgh aimed at addressing maternal health disparities! Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, Chief Clinical Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Allegheny Health Network, recently spoke at Highmark Inc. headquarters about the groundbreaking 'Food is Medicine' program in collaboration with the American Heart Association Pittsburgh. This innovative pilot initiative will provide pregnant individuals with preloaded debit cards, empowering them to spend $50 monthly on fresh fruits and vegetables for one year. By focusing on nutrition and addressing social determinants of health during pregnancy, the program seeks to improve pregnancy outcomes, particularly among communities facing maternal health disparities. With a comprehensive approach involving community doulas and regular cooking demonstrations, this initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring healthier pregnancies and reducing maternal mortality rates in the region. The launch of the 'Food is Medicine' program underscores the importance of addressing holistic wellness during pregnancy. This initiative not only provides access to nutritious food but also fosters a sense of community support and empowerment for expectant mothers. By incorporating the expertise of community doulas and leveraging partnerships with local grocers and delivery services, the program aims to eliminate barriers to accessing fresh produce, ultimately promoting healthier pregnancies and positive maternal health outcomes. As we continue to prioritize maternal health, initiatives like this highlight the impact of addressing social determinants of health and underscore the importance of holistic care throughout the pregnancy journey. #sdoh #foodismedicine #maternalmorbidity #accesstocare https://lnkd.in/esqssBUx

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Telehealth's potential to bridge healthcare disparities lies in its capacity to transcend geographical barriers, financial constraints, and cultural biases to foster a more inclusive healthcare landscape—one where every individual can access timely and tailored medical support! The integration of telehealth into mainstream healthcare delivery can completely transform access and redefine the very essence of equitable care. Through telehealth, healthcare can become truly universal and unbiased, regardless of location, socioeconomic status, or identity. #Telehealth #Telemedicine #Healthcare

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The biggest question for CEOs continues to be, ‘How do we solve for financial and operational challenges better?’ Here are three pain points that CEOs will be diving into at next week’s HealthLeaders Exchange, where they'll convene to share strategies and ideas to improve best practices. HealthLeaders #CEO #workforce #technology

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🌱 Why addressing social determinants matters: beyond healthcare. 🏥 We're witnessing a shift in healthcare towards recognizing that medical care alone can't solve our health challenges. It's time to focus on the broader social and economic factors affecting our communities. Let's delve into the discussion: https://lnkd.in/eCV4AfDy #SDOH #Publichealth #healthcare

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Father's Day is approaching and it feels like the ideal reason to reshare the piece I penned earlier this month on prostate cancer and how technology can be leveraged to combat the disease. This morning, I attended a Men's Health Summit at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). One speaker mentioned that every man in his family had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The stats are alarming: 💬 16% of Black and 20% of Hispanic men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. 💬 Prostate cancer is the #2 cause of death of all cancers in Black and Hispanic men. It's evident that while AI solutions are prevalent across various industries, they often lack the essential elements of #culturalempathy and #personalizedcare for these individuals. From my perspective, this gap presents an opportunity for meaningful change. #cancer #cancercontrol #Healthdisparities #healthequity #aihealthcare #prostatecancer #fathersday https://lnkd.in/ed_wy2mz

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The shift towards consumerism in healthcare is undeniable, and organizations that embrace it will emerge as leaders in the healthcare ecosystem.   Consumers are more motivated than ever to choose healthcare options that offer a better experience, higher quality of care, and greater value. Why does this matter? Aside from the benefits of improving care outcomes and consumer experience, a consumer-led strategy can yield significant financial gains for healthcare organizations through increased acquisition and retention rates, reduced administrative costs, and enhanced ratings. It's a win-win for both consumers and organizations alike.   McKinsey & Company explores the latest trends in consumer healthcare behavior, considers responses, and identifies steps leaders can take to define a consumer-led strategy:   🍎 Trend 1: Consumers are spending more on health and wellness but are not satisfied and want more innovation.   📊 Trend 2: Consumers trust the healthcare industry with their data, but organizations underuse it.   💰 Trend 3: Consumers are actively shopping and making trade-offs.   Looking to elevate your brand and drive meaningful impact in this consumer-centric healthcare landscape? Send me a message! Amendola Communications’ approach blends the best of traditional and new media marketing to deliver integrated communications programs that raises awareness, generates leads, and grows sales. https://lnkd.in/ggmtw7wn I #HealthcareInnovation #PatientSatisfaction #PatientEngagement #DigitalHealth

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The better you take care of your Internal Customers/Stakeholders/Employees/Associates, the better they will be able to serve your External Customers. It's a win/win with retention, engagement, safe, quality, effective care, and your overall ROI! It's one of the most important investments of an organizations time and resources.

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Another dispiriting data point on the state of health equity in the U.S.: Even in states with the best overall healthcare performance, stark outcomes disparities persist between white and Asian healthcare consumers and those from other racial and ethnic groups, per new research from The Commonwealth Fund. If healthcare systems that perform well in the aggregate are still failing large segments of the population, it tells me we need to do a much better job of addressing social drivers of health. #SDOH #healthequity

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Are you ready to stay the course, even when the finish line keeps moving? I want to share a story about a journey that took nearly two decades to complete. I represented a group of New York hospitals facing a complex Medicare payment issue. Our strategy required us to pivot between regulatory and legislative avenues multiple times, highlighting the importance of adaptability in any long-term plan. It took: ✅Patience ✅Tenacity ✅And unwavering confidence In our evolving strategy to ultimately succeed after 20 years. Remember, real change takes time. But with a resilient mindset, you can navigate any challenge and achieve your objectives. Stay confident and adaptable in your pursuits! #PersistencePays #LeadershipLessons #StrategicPlanning #AdaptAndOvercome

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Heart attacks and young patients. #Cardiologists from the Mount Sinai Health System say they're seeing an increase in these cases among young adults who don't have typical risk factors and The Today Show on NBC News is highlighting this dangerous trend. Watch the story below to learn about our patient's miraculous story of survival after an unexpected #heartattack, and how Mount Sinai experts including Serdar Farhan and Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, MBA are trying to better understand why they're seeing more of these cases, and prevent them.

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Housing instability can contribute to long-term mental health disorders and exacerbate chronic conditions, compromising long term health. Further, these impacts are disproportionately felt among Black Americans. Research from the Elevance Health Public Policy Institute suggests that Medicaid health plans can invest in housing interventions and partnerships to equitably improve these housing outcomes, highlighting positive outcomes from an Elevance Health affiliated Medicaid plan in Nevada. https://ow.ly/7k2y30sC4CV

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