Population Health and SDOH: What’s driving the push for better, and how can your organization compete?

McKinsey & Company released an article in November 2022 citing information and ideas around available Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Federal grants and how, when utilized, they can elevate patient outcomes. From the tip of the tongue to pen to check, organizations are looking for ways to address disparity within their populations and better serve their patients.

The Numerof & Associates 2022 State of Population Health Survey Report, in collaboration with Dr. David Nash, Founding Dean Emeritus of the Jefferson College of Population Health, found a few core truths in their seventh year of research around SDOH. They cited:

• Risk-based models weren’t prioritized even though most organizations felt they were important
• The COVID-19 pandemic stalled progress in SDOH but helped organizations see the urgency around the need to increase change
• Motives that drew the attention of organizations to prioritize SDOH were: Controlling costs, quality, and outcomes, Elevating mission and culture, and financial initiatives.

“Respondents believe population health is critical to their organization’s future, but risk-based agreements remain a marginal piece of the industry’s collective revenue model. As evidenced by more offerings across the continuum of care and an increased focus on SDOH, there have been some modest adjustments to the current model, but organizations continue to avoid true accountability for cost and quality, with the principal reason being fear of financial loss.” (State of Population Health Survey Report )

In a discussion around their survey, Rita Numerof shared with Forbes, “This year’s survey found that only 25% felt “very” or “completely” prepared to transition to a financial model linking payment to patient outcomes and utilization, with less than half (44%) feeling only “moderately prepared.” Organizations know it’s beyond time to take action, but with already stressed bottom lines, they fear failure without the right partners and resources in place.

Pharmalive recently shared three SDOH trends leading healthcare providers into 2023, including:

• A lack of patient trust erodes an already damaged provider or organization-to-patient relationship
• The introduction of climate health to the SDOH background
• The lack of accessibility furthers the digital divide

The article’s authors found, “In 2023, those stakeholders who join forces to address current challenges, but also anticipate, plan, and innovate for emerging threats, will be at the vanguard of advancing health equity.”  We couldn’t agree more.

SDOH Begins With The Right Population Health Data

Using data to drive systematic healthcare change isn’t something for the future; it’s a solution that Clearsense is offering right now to our partners. Is your organization looking for a powerful self-service population health analytics application that is as user-friendly and intuitive as it is trackable? Get ready to empower everyone in your organization to use data to make connected, transparent, and evidence-based decisions that allow you to visualize data and collaborate with peers near or far.