Social Determinants of Health
FEATURED ARTICLE
Using Data, Incentives, and Innovation, Three States Work to Improve Maternal Vaccination Rates
/in Policy California, Colorado, Wisconsin Blogs, Featured News Home Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Immunization, Integrated for Pregnant/Parenting Women, Maternal Health and Mortality, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by Ariella LevisohnDespite the health benefits of immunizing pregnant women against influenza and pertussis (whooping cough) and protecting them and their infants from these life-threatening diseases, only half of pregnant women are vaccinated against both diseases and only one-third receive both the influenza and pertussis vaccines during pregnancy. Three states are trying a number of innovative approaches […]
Minnesota and Indiana Governors Work to Improve Social Equity and Health in Every Zip Code
/in Policy Indiana, Minnesota Blogs CHIP, CHIP, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Healthy Child Development, Housing and Health, Infant Mortality, Maternal Health and Mortality, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Quality and Measurement, Social Determinants of Health /by Elinor HigginsIn their 2019 state of the state speeches, 13 governors addressed social equity, acknowledging that reducing inequities and improving opportunities for all residents improves lives and health outcomes. Two of them — Indiana and Minnesota – offer examples of how states are orchestrating their legislative and administrative efforts to reduce health disparities and promote social […]
Toolkit: State Strategies to Support Older Adults Aging in Place in Rural Areas
/in Policy Toolkits Care Coordination, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Community Health Workers, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Housing and Health, Long-Term Care, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, Safety Net Providers and Rural Health, Social Determinants of Health, Workforce Capacity /by Neva Kaye and Kristina LongThis toolkit highlights state initiatives to help older rural adults age in place by increasing services that help people remain in their homes, expanding and professionalizing the caregiver workforce, improving transportation access and services, and making delivery system reforms within Medicaid programs. Download the toolkit. Introduction Rural areas across the nation have higher concentrations of […]
State Officials Fear Final Public Charge Rule Could Deter Health Coverage Enrollment
/in Policy Blogs CHIP, CHIP, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Healthy Child Development, Maternal Health and Mortality, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Maureen Hensley-Quinn and Anita CardwellThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently finalized a rule that significantly changes immigration policies related to “public charge” determinations. Under long-established US immigration policies, individuals who are deemed likely to become a “public charge” and require extensive government support can be denied an adjustment of their immigration status (e.g., issued a green card) or […]
Oregon and Connecticut Hold Hospitals Accountable for Meaningful Community Benefit Investment
/in Policy Connecticut, Oregon Blogs Community Benefit, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Hospital/Health System Oversight, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by Amy Clary and Elinor HigginsTax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals cost states billions of dollars in lost tax revenue each year. In return, hospitals are required to invest in activities and services that benefit their communities. Some states, including Oregon and Connecticut, are going beyond federal requirements by holding hospitals accountable for making meaningful investments in the community’s health and […]
States Take Action to Improve Health through Housing
/in Policy Blogs Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Housing and Health, Long-Term Care, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by Amy ClaryOn a single January night in 2018, approximately 553,000 people in the United States experienced homelessness, either sleeping on the street or in a variety of shelters, and those numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. The risk of homeless also looms large for many who are housing insecure, including 25 percent of renters nationwide […]
Medicaid and CHIP Levers to Promote Lead Screening and Treatment: Indiana’s Experience
/in Policy Indiana, Maryland Reports Care Coordination, Chronic and Complex Populations, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Housing and Health, Lead Screening and Treatment, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by NASHP StaffAddressing lead hazards today generates future economic benefits and improved health outcomes for children. In partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration, NASHP is publishing a series of case studies highlighting state initiatives to promote lead screening and treatment. This study explores Indiana’s efforts to address this issue within its Medicaid and Children’s Health […]
States Take Action to Improve and Expand Early Childhood Education
/in Policy Blogs, Featured News Home Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Care Coordination, CHIP, CHIP, Chronic and Complex Populations, Eligibility and Enrollment, Eligibility and Enrollment, EPSDT, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Healthy Child Development, Infant Mortality, Integrated Care for Children, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by Megan LentParticipation in early childhood education programs has been linked to better health, higher educational achievement, and higher socioeconomic status in adulthood. Given that programs have been shown to yield a $2 to $4 return for every $1 invested, many states are looking upstream and investing in the education of their youngest residents. What governors are […]
Changes to Poverty Measure Could Disqualify Thousands from State and Federal Programs
/in Policy Blogs, Featured News Home CHIP, CHIP, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Eligibility and Enrollment, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by Anita Cardwell and Christina CousartThe Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is seeking public comment on possible changes to how the federal poverty measure is annually adjusted for inflation. The changes would impact individuals’ eligibility for multiple programs because the US Department of Health and Human Services uses the poverty measure to establish poverty level guidelines. A wide range […]
Across the Nation, State Leaders Are Tackling the Global Issue of Environmental Protection
/in Policy Blogs Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Health Equity, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by Amy ClaryThe profound connection between the environment and human health makes headlines primarily when things go wrong: when air pollution triggers asthma attacks, water is tainted by toxins, and tick- and mosquito-borne diseases spread, propelled by a changing climate. But some state leaders see the health of the environment as a critical and continuous state policy […]
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
States’ COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declarations and Mask Requirements
/in COVID-19 State Action Center Charts, Featured News Home, Maps COVID-19, Featured Policy Home, Health Equity, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by NASHP Staff and Ella Roth