Nutrition is among the social determinants of health with the biggest influence on healthcare costs, according to a Healthcare Financial Management Association report.
HFMA developed its report after a conference held in Washington, D.C., this fall with more than 100 healthcare through leaders. The conference was put on in partnership with the Alliance of Community Health Plans, American Association for Physician Leaders and American Organization for Nursing Leadership.
Attendees stressed that social determinants account for up to 80 percent of a person's health status. To improve healthcare, leaders discussed interorganizational collaboration between health systems and health plans or community service agencies.
In one case, a food delivery service implemented by Health Plan Partners reduced hospital admissions by 28 percent and reduced emergency department visits by 7 percent over a two-year period.
At the end of the conference, leaders recognized the need for more information on specific needs in the communities they serve. They discussed conducting community health assessments and developing screening questions that are specific to social determinants.
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