Stakeholders have long recognized that social, behavioral, and environmental factors outside the health care system–the social determinants of health–influence an individual’s health and wellbeing. Given the strong business case for addressing these factors, many hospitals, providers, and health systems are working to navigate the challenges of effectively linking community and clinical services to improve patients’ long-term health outcomes.
But how do providers track the impact of socioeconomic and environmental factors on patient outcomes? What screening tools and training programs have been developed? What role will New York State play as we continue down the road to value-based payment systems?
On April 18, 2018, NYHealth hosted a conversation with experts and innovators about the tools and strategies they are using—such as formalizing Z codes that track social needs, implementing resident training programs, and fostering collaborations between hospitals and community-based organizations—to measurably improve the quality of health care by addressing the social determinants of health.
Panelists were:
- Elizabeth Misa, M.P.A., Deputy Medicaid Director, New York State Department of Health
- Carla K. Nelson, M.B.A., Assistant Vice President, Ambulatory Care and Population Health, Greater New York Hospital Association (see slides)
- Theresa Soriano, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President for Care Transitions and Population Health, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital (see slides)