New York City-based Montefiore Health System has helped more than 10,000 households with social needs that impact their access to healthcare through its Community Health Worker Institute.
Montefiore researchers found that a person with at least one health related social need can equate to more than 175,000 “no show” appointments annually. Having more than one social need can lead to approximately $1,772 in healthcare resources such as avoidable healthcare utilization.
To reduce these healthcare costs, the institute trains community health workers who help patients navigate gaps between medical care and social services, according to an April 4 system news release. Launched in 2021, the institute has 34 community health workers across its hospitals, primary care, clinical and specialty care locations. When patients express a challenge or need, such as housing issues, food insecurity or transportation limitations, they are connected to a community health worker who helps them close the gap with respect to social determinants of health.
More than 340,000 people have been screened since 2018, and around 14% were found to have at least one social need. After receiving help from a community health worker, 94% of patients reported progress in resolving their challenge, the release said.
