The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) has published three documents to highlight HHS’s approach to addressing social determinants of health (SDH). An essay in the Journal of the American Medical Association Health Forum describes HHS’s strategy to address SDH by enhancing data infrastructure, improving connections between health and social service providers, and engaging in government-wide collaborations to implement solutions. In addition, a two-page infographic summarizing HHS’s SDH strategic approach and a report highlighting successful interventions that have been implemented to address SDH are available on the ASPE website.
GNYHA is working with our member hospitals to help the health care delivery system address SDH and has developed the following resources:
- Health Information Tool for Empowerment (HITE), a free online directory of community resources located in New York City, on Long Island, and in Westchester County
- Social Care Needs Coding and Referral Guide to assist hospitals with their SDH screening and documentation efforts and help them form partnerships with community-based organizations
- Compendium of SDH screening tools to help hospitals develop screening and assessment strategies
- Social Determinants of Health Workgroup convenes GNYHA member hospital leadership to develop and implement organizational SDH strategies
GNYHA will continue to provide member support in this important area. Please contact Carla Nelson with questions about GNYHA’s social determinants of health resources and related initiatives.