ProMedica is a non-profit health system that is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of its patients and communities.
As part of this mission, ProMedica recognizes the critical role that social determinants of health play in shaping health outcomes. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that can impact their health and quality of life. Examples of social determinants of health include access to healthcare, education, employment, housing, and food security.
ProMedica has implemented several initiatives to address social determinants of health and prioritize data to better understand these issues. This includes the creation of a Social Determinants of Health Institute and the development of innovative programs to improve health outcomes in underserved communities.
One of the key ways that ProMedica prioritizes data to address social determinants of health is by leveraging its electronic health record (EHR) system. The EHR system provides a comprehensive view of patients' medical history, as well as important social determinants of health data such as housing status, employment status, and education level. ProMedica uses this data to identify patients who may be at risk for poor health outcomes due to social determinants of health and to provide targeted interventions to address these issues.
For example, ProMedica has developed a program called “Housing for Health” that aims to address housing insecurity among patients. The program uses data from the EHR system to identify patients who are experiencing housing instability and provides them with access to affordable housing and support services to improve their overall health outcomes. This program has been successful in reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations among participants and has improved their overall health and well-being.
ProMedica has also implemented several community-based programs to address social determinants of health. These programs aim to improve access to healthcare, provide education and job training opportunities, and address food insecurity. ProMedica uses data from these programs to measure their effectiveness and to identify areas for improvement.
For example, ProMedica has partnered with local farmers and community organizations to provide fresh produce to patients in underserved communities through a program called “Produce Perks.” ProMedica uses data from this program to track the impact of the program on patients' health outcomes and to identify areas where additional support may be needed.
In addition to leveraging data from its EHR system and community-based programs, ProMedica has also developed partnerships with other organizations to address social determinants of health. These partnerships include collaborations with housing agencies, schools, and community organizations to improve access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment opportunities.
ProMedica has also developed a Social Determinants of Health Institute to support research and innovation in this area. The Institute is focused on developing new approaches to addressing social determinants of health and on identifying best practices that can be scaled across the organization and the broader healthcare industry. The Institute also provides training and education to healthcare providers and community organizations to help them better understand social determinants of health and to develop effective interventions.