NQF
recommends aligning policy and improving the collection of standardized data to
address the social determinants of health.
By Jessica
Kent
October 25, 2019
- To address individuals’ social determinants of health, the National
Quality Forum (NQF) recommends aligning policy and payment
across public and private stakeholders, improving the use and collection of
standardized social determinants of health data and designing incentives to
address social determinants.
Through an initiative
supported by the Aetna Foundation, NQF collaborated with a diverse group of
experts to identify quality and payment innovations to effectively address the
social determinants of health.
“To improve our
nation’s health, we need to begin addressing social determinants,” said Rep.
Judy Chu, D-California, in a statement. “The release of these recommendations
is a critical step towards aligning policies and funding to move healthcare
stakeholders and community leaders into action.”
In the last decade,
healthcare stakeholders have increasingly recognized that a person’s
zip code is a better indicator of health than his or her genetic code. NQF
noted that the environments in which individuals live, work, and play can
account for almost 60 percent of health outcomes.
“Many communities —
including some I represent in the Bronx and Westchester — suffer from severe
inequities in accessing quality, affordable healthcare,” Rep. Eliot L. Engel,
D-New York, said in a statement. “We can address these challenges by better
aligning policies and funding that help reduce disparities and improve access
to care.”
While most payers,
providers, and community leaders recognize that addressing the social
determinants of health is key to improving health, only 24 percent of hospitals
currently screen for social determinants when treating patients. This indicates
an opportunity to increase data sharing and collaboration among communities and
industry stakeholders to further address social determinants.
“Social determinants
of health represent one of the top opportunities to advance healthcare
improvement on a national level,” said Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Georgia, said in a
statement. “I look forward to working with NQF to examine ways to create better
opportunities for disadvantaged individuals living in our communities.”
With the support of the Aetna Foundation, NQF
convened nearly 60 healthcare stakeholders from across the country to discuss
national strategies, barriers, and recommendations for addressing social
determinants through payment and quality innovation.
“Advancing quality
and payment innovation to reduce health disparities can enhance the already
increasing focus on how SDOH are influencing the health of our nation and our
communities,” Garth Graham, MD, vice president of community health and impact
at CVS Health and president of the Aetna Foundation, said in a statement.
“Developed in
collaboration with groups across the health care system, these comprehensive
recommendations provide a clear path on the best use of payment and investment
as key levers to address SDOH,” he added.
NQF also hosted a
Congressional Hill Briefing on October 24 to discuss recommendations,
bringing together bipartisan congressional leadership.
One panel shared
patient, payer, and provider perspectives to discuss the implications of the
recommendations for policymakers, as well as examples of payment and quality
innovations, and the importance of partnerships in social determinants of
health initiatives.
“Social determinants
of health play as large a role in a person’s health as their genes. While
access to healthcare services is essential, it is only half the story,” said
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, in a statement.
“In order to continue
moving our public health programs toward cost-effective, value-based care, we
must focus on addressing the socioeconomic and behavioral factors that
influence Americans’ health,” he added.
Adequately addressing
the social determinants of health will require transparency, cooperation, and
inclusion across the nation, at all levels. NQF is calling on stakeholders to support
and implement the recommendations.
“We know we cannot
improve health solely through clinical settings,” said NQF President and CEO
Shantanu Agrawal, MD, in a statement. “Addressing social determinants of health
is key to driving meaningful health improvement across populations.”
“These
recommendations were informed by voices across the healthcare and community and
will guide leaders on what interventions they should invest in, and which
payment models can most positively impact health outcomes,” he added.
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