All too often, states make investments and policy decisions that fail to improve population health. A new report published by Milbank Memorial Fund and researchers from New Haven, Conn.-based Yale University outlines a few ways healthcare experts and policymakers can work together to change that.
"Although different state environments may dictate local strategies in practice, certain values and approaches may be common regardless of setting," according to the report.
The following five strategies address the reasons behind suboptimal investments, build on existing progress in each state and reflect the needs of state and county officials to make effective decisions.
- Engage agencies across social and health-focused sectors. Multisector involvement and commitment helps build relationships, optimize resources and achieve state health goals.
- Rally government officials' support. Build political will among executive and legislative policymakers to drive state objectives and population health efforts.
- Be flexible and create a unique program. Population health isn't one size fits all; adjusting investments to the needs of the state can "encourage data sharing among stakeholders, enhance program implementation for target groups and more closely align efforts with local norms and values."
- Align incentives with health goals. Integrated reward systems that consider both social and health outcomes can direct efforts of different agencies in the same direction.
- Use data to implement and sustain efforts. Since evidence is key in population health decision-making, it's important to conduct research activities and develop cross-sector database interoperability. Doing so can help drive and monitor progress.
To access the full report, click here.