Addressing Social Determinants of Health: A Call to Action
Have you ever faced the tough choice between buying food for your family or purchasing necessary medications? Or struggled to access healthcare services for your children due to lack of transportation? These dilemmas are everyday realities for many across the United States.
As healthcare professionals, we are acutely aware of these challenges and how they impact cost of care, patient outcomes, and quality of life. Years ago, we simply called it “non compliance.” I still remember when we charged patients for missed appointments and often turned them away if they were 15 minutes late, regardless of the reason.
Many people, healthcare providers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations have been working hard to change the narrative by creating amazing programs like free transportation services, subsidized medication programs, food as medicine initiatives, and improved access to healthcare with virtual appointments and remote device monitoring strategies. However, the challenge remains. This is largely due to ineffectively connecting these services with the individuals who need them most, often due to a lack of awareness from both service providers and recipients.
Implementing systematic screenings for social determinants of health allows us to proactively identify individuals and families in need and navigate them to the appropriate resources. By ensuring that basic needs are met, we empower individuals to reach their full potential, embodying a truly person-centered approach to healthcare.
Deploying digital solutions, leveraging AI and combining that with human empathy and guided support we can make a difference on a much larger scale. Let’s create healthier communities together.
Let's continue to work to address these fundamental issues and transform our healthcare system into one that recognizes and acts on the broader social factors affecting health. Very proud to work with the entire UMASS team and our amazing Get Well navigators who embody this commitment everyday.
UMass Memorial Health has implemented the Get Well Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screening and navigation solution across their outpatient offices, providing essential data capture and patient navigation to resources on Findhelp.
Get Well is excited to support them in their health equity initiatives and reducing health disparities!
Want to learn more about how we support SDOH data capture? https://lnkd.in/eiPQ9aVJ
#SDOH #HealthEquity #GoLive