For An Option To Address Social Determinants Of Health, Look To Medicaid

by: Karen DeSalvo and Michael O. Leavitt

Key ideas from the blog:

• Interest to address the SDoH as core components of organizational strategy in value-based care transformation has increased in the past year
• Organizations taking a closer look at populations that continue to experience poor health outcomes, despite medical care. 
• HHS is undertaking efforts to help address SDOH through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (the Innovation Center), Medicare Advantage, as well as the Medicaid program
• 40 states incorporate SDOH-related activities through managed care contracts or Section 1115 demonstration waivers. These activities range from employment, education, food, housing, transportation, and violence/abuse support services, or other related concepts such as wellness, disparities, community health workers, and justice-involved populations. 
• Broad opportunities including clarifying Medicaid state guidance, developing template language, establishing learning collaboratives, and supporting enhanced flexibility to build best practices on addressing SDOH could accelerate the work of states and providers by easing the process.  
• Partnerships between state Medicaid programs and key stakeholders, such as MCOs, health care providers, and consumers, to pilot and evaluate strategies to address SDOH pose a unique opportunity to develop promising models

What are other opportunities to improve address SDoH and improve health + wellness in the US? 

What are other/particular Medicaid programs that can help guide progress in addressing SDoH disparities?