1. Leveraging data to support health equity in an integrated delivery and finance system.
- Author
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Kogan J, Eichner J, Simhan H, Dalton E, Jutca A, Quinn B, Chaney J, Patterson A, and Keyser D
- Abstract
Introduction: To accelerate healthcare transformation and advance health equity, scientists in learning health systems (LHSs) require ready access to integrated, comprehensive data that includes information on social determinants of health (SDOH)., Methods: We describe how an integrated delivery and finance system leveraged its learning ecosystem to advance health equity through (a) a cross-sector initiative to integrate healthcare and human services data for better meeting clients' holistic needs and (b) a system-level initiative to collect and use patient-reported SDOH data for connecting patients to needed resources., Results: Through these initiatives, we strengthened our health system's capacity to meet diverse patient needs, address health disparities, and improve health outcomes. By sharing and integrating healthcare and human services data, we identified 281 000 Shared Services Clients and enhanced care management for 100 adult Medicaid/Special Needs Plan members. Over a 1-year period, we screened 9173 (37%) patients across UPMC's Women's Health Services Line and connected over 700 individuals to social services and supports., Conclusions: Opportunities exist for LHSs to improve, expand, and sustain their innovative data practices. As learnings continue to emerge, LHSs will be well positioned to accelerate healthcare transformation and advance health equity., Competing Interests: Jane Kogan, Joan Eichner, Donna Keyser, Beth Quinn, and Jennifer Chaney are employees of UPMC, the learning health system that was involved/leading the activities described in this manuscript. Hy Simhan is an employee of UPMC and University of Pittsburgh, Consultant to Organon, Authorship with honorarium for UpToDate, and Cofounder of Naima Health, LLC. Erin Dalton and Alex Jutca are employees of Allegheny County Department of Human Services, an entity that was involved/leading some of the activities described in this manuscript. Anna Patterson was previously an employee of UPMC and has no conflicts to report., (© 2024 The Authors. Learning Health Systems published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of University of Michigan.)
- Published
- 2024
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