Education as a Social Determinant of Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes
A newly published study in BMC Public Health reports that education level may be a critical independent social determinant of health (SDoH) influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The study, which drew upon data from over 210,000 participants, found that people without a high school degree had a 47.9% higher mortality rate in atherosclerotic CVD than those with college degrees.
Promoting Health Equity and Community Health with Medicaid Reinvestment Requirements
Several states have adopted policies that make Medicaid managed care plans put money back into local communities to promote health equity and community health by targeting social determinants of health (SDoH) associated with poor health outcomes. In a new Health Affairs Forefront article, learn about the challenges blocking the full realization of these policies’ potential and best practices in developing them.
More SDoH Data Needed to Investigate Cardiovascular Health Equity
A recently published study in AJPM Focus found that data regarding the social determinants of health (SDoH) that impact cardiovascular disease outcomes is sorely lacking. Interviews with several healthcare leaders across New York City revealed that health systems are prioritizing SDoH, but several barriers stand in the way of implementation efforts.
Moving to Patient-Centered Value-Based Care
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep disparities in care health outcomes in marginalized groups. One contributor to this problem are widely-used fee-for-service (FFS) payment models. In a new Forbes article, Rita Numerof argues that moving to a patient-centered value-based care model that accounts for social determinants of health (SDoH) is key to helping providers promote health equity through their care decisions.
Using Z Codes to Turn Social Determinants of Health Insights into Better Healthcare
Research in recent years has identified several non-medical factors that greatly influence health outcomes, referred to as social determinants of health (SDoH). However, health equity gains from these insights are held back, in part, by many providers not using the appropriate Z codes to record and track relevant SDoH data.
Exploring the Systemic Causes of Maternal Mortality in the US
A 2022 report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explored the underlying causes of high maternal mortality in the US. Over 75% of maternal deaths happen after returning from the hospital after delivery and 80% were preventable. A new article in Health Affairs, explains how the underlying design of our maternal care systems contributes to the problem
Housing Instability Worsens Health Outcomes
Astronomical rent and home prices are driving the ever-worsening affordable housing crisis. A newly published article in JAMA Network Open explores the link between housing instability and health outcomes, finding that displacement and unsafe living situations related to unaffordable housing are tied to worse mental and physical wellbeing.
Language Barriers Worsen Asthma Care and Outcomes
English second language (ESL) Hispanic patients face significant barriers to adequate care, worsening health outcomes. Research presented at this year’s American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology meeting shows these health disparities are present for Hispanic people with Asthma, especially those who speak Spanish primarily.
Research Details Health Disparities in Childhood Asthma and Eczema Based on Race and Ethnicity
Health disparities in asthma and eczema have been observed in Black children, but little research has explored the combination of the two. In research presented at this year’s American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) meeting, researchers explored the social determinants of health (SDoH) underlying this heath disparity. In addition, another abstract investigated the increased rate of childhood asthma-related respiratory infections in Black and Mexican-American patients.
Michigan Minds Podcast: Addressing Health Disparities through Health Policy Research
Social determinants of health (SDoH) are a driving factor in health disparities, especially those faced by marginalized and rural populations. In the latest episode of the Michigan Minds Podcast, University of Michigan professor Paula Lantz, PhD talks about SDoH, birth rates, and how public policies can be used to address health disparities on the population level.
Clinical Trials Must Include Diversity Plan in FDA Applications
Many patients from rural areas and marginalized backgrounds are severely underrepresented in many clinical trials. To address this problem, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that in the near future, all clinical trials registered through the agency must contain a plan to ensure diversity in the participant population. The plan will take time, however, as the agency must issue a final guidance and wait for public input.
Most Healthcare Organizations Behind on SDoH Data
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has released a white paper detailing the state of social determinants of health (SDoH) data collection and usage. The authors surveyed 2,637 members, finding that the majority of healthcare organizations are collecting SDoH data but have issues analyzing and using it.
Society for Family Health Outlines New Strategy to Improve Health Outcomes in Nigeria
The Society for Family Health (SFH) is celebrating its 40th anniversary by revamping its strategy to improve health outcomes in Nigeria. The plan involves re-evaluating the current healthcare system to find and target specific weaknesses in its approach. The first, according to SFH’s managing director Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, that health is viewed primarily from a healthcare perspective.
Six Steps to Target Social Determinants of Health and Advance Health Equity
Social determinants of health (SDoH) like socioeconomic status, race, transportation, geographic location, and educational status all factor into health outcomes but are often not addressed in care settings. In a new Medical Economics article, learn 6 ways that providers can address SDoH and promote better health for marginalized groups. The first step is by asking questions in person.
5 Takeaways for Practitioners to Promote Health Equity
Health equity efforts led by health impact assessment (HIA) and Health in All Policies (HiAP) professionals are helping to address [...]
Examining Political Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health (SDoH), characteristics like race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and housing status, have been increasingly recognized as contributing to health outcomes. However, another set of factors affecting health outcomes are political determinants of health, policies that affect population health in a given community or locale.
Black and Latino Medicaid Recipients Less Likely to Receive New Epilepsy Drugs
A recently published study in Neurology Clinical Practice found that Medicaid patients were less likely to be prescribed newer third-generation antiseizure medications (ASMs) if they were Black, Latino, Pacific Islander, or Native Hawaiian. These drugs tend to perform better and have less side effects, but are underutilized in the aforementioned populations compared to white Medicaid recipients.
Improving Data Quality to Target Social Determinants of Health
Although increasing efforts have been made to address social determinants of health (SDoH) to improve health equity, poor or inconsistent data sources get in the way of progress. The American Medical Association (AMA) has put forward several initiatives to help address SDoH data standards that encourage interoperability.
CMS Lets States Cover Nonmedical Services for Medicaid Beneficiaries
Social determinants of health (SDoH) like housing instability and food insecurity dramatically impact patient health outcomes. To address these factors, the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a new guidance that allows states to offer benefits for nonmedical services, under the classification of “in lieu of services and settings.”
Racial Medicare Access Disparities Worsen Health Outcomes for Black Enrollees
Research early last year found that Black patients are routinely offered less high-quality Medicare Advantage plans compared to their white counterparts. A new study builds on this, finding that the decreased access to 5-star plans has measure effects on outcomes for Black enrollees. The researchers looked at hospitalizations that would be avoidable with disease management and outpatient care covered by better plans.
Fluctuating Income as a Social Determinant of Health
A freshly-published study has identified fluctuating income as a social determinant of health (SDoH) that negatively impacts health outcomes. The paper, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, surveyed gig workers, servers, delivery drivers, and other workers whose daily income is not steady. These workers faced health disparities in several key areas of health.
Improving Recruiting of Black and Rural Patients
In the US, Black and rural residents are often significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. This negatively impacts these populations and decreases the clinical potential of new therapeutics. In a recent Clinical Leader article, Chief Editor Ed Miseta discusses the underlying causes of clinical trial under-representation and insights from two studies on how to address it.
Modern Segregation in US Worsens Cancer Outcomes
In a newly published JAMA Oncology paper, researchers find that people living in US counties with higher levels of racial and socioeconomic segregation face a 20% increase in mortality rates. This effect was more pronounced in lung cancer, with mortality rates spiking by 50% in the most segregated counties.
Hitting the Books: Exploring Education Status as a Key Social Determinants of Health
Educational status is being increasingly recognized as a pivotal social determinant of health (SDoH) a social factor that affects health outcomes. In a new primer by Sara Heath, learn more about education as an SDoH and how it interacts with other key SDoH like race, ethnicity, etc.
Unaffordable Medical Expenses Are a Key Social Determinant of Health
Race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographical location are all widely recognized as primary social determinants of health (SDoH). However, unaffordable medical bills are often overlooked as a critical SDoH. A recently published paper in JAMA Network Open explored this concept and found that ~20% of US households have medical debt.
