July 13, 2023 – Vizient recently hosted a policy briefing on Capitol Hill titled, “Beyond the Four Walls: How Hospitals are Addressing Social Determinants of Health,” at the Rayburn House Office Building. Featuring remarks by Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Dwight Evans (D-PA), and sponsored by Representative Jake Ellzey (R-TX), the event, attended by more than 70 congressional staff and industry stakeholders, focused on how hospitals are actively addressing the external factors that impact community health.
David Levine, MD, Vizient group senior vice president of Advanced Analytics and Data Science opened the policy discussion with an overview of the patent pending Vizient Vulnerability Index™ and shared how it is being used to help providers gain actionable insights into their community’s social needs to help target interventions and improve care delivery. He then transitioned into a moderated conversation with a highly regarded panel of key healthcare leaders including:
- Donna Avila, BSN, RN, Director of Care Coordination, Health Equity Officer, Norman Regional Health System
- Steven Carson, MHA, BSN, RN, Senior Vice President of Population Health, Temple University Health System
- Verlon Salley, MHA, Vice President of Community Health Equity, University of Alabama Birmingham Health System
The panel of experts highlighted hospital strategies to reduce health disparities in their communities, including targeted healthcare screenings and education and supporting neighborhood infrastructure improvements. The panelists underscored their commitment to improving the health of patients experiencing challenges like food insecurity and homelessness, by partnering with local organizations to provide access to healthy food, housing and medical care. Each panelist reinforced their hospitals’ commitment to serving their communities, despite the ongoing workforce and financial challenges they face.