/ en Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:54:17 -0500 Fri, 06 Dec 24 13:41:40 -0600 /news/headline/2024-12-06-aha-podcast-right-kind-research-academyhealth-unveils-roadmap-advance-research-equity <p>In this conversation, Margo Edmunds, director of the AcademyHealth Center on Diversity, Inclusion and Minority Engagement, discusses the benefits its Roadmap for Researchers guide can provide to health care research and the difference it's already making in health systems, nonprofits and beyond. <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-12-06-right-kind-research-academyhealth-unveils-roadmap-advance-research-equity">LISTEN NOW</a></p><div></div> Fri, 06 Dec 2024 13:41:40 -0600 Inclusion /role-hospitals-indiana-university-health-working-all-angles-indy-health-district-supports-health-every-side <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-7"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-12/ths-indiana-university-health-indy-health-district-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="IU Health. Indy Health District community members and leaders" width="700" height="532" class="align-left"></p><p><em>Photo courtesy of IU Health</em></p></div><p>Access to high-quality health care is crucial to a community’s well-being, but it’s not the only component of health. Neighbors need economic development, transportation, education and infrastructure that promote a healthy lifestyle.</p><p>The <a href="https://indyhealthdistrict.org/" target="_blank">Indy Health District</a> launched in fall 2024 to create healthier communities across 1,500 acres on the north side of Indianapolis. Led by neighborhood associations, business executives, city leaders and health professionals from IU Health, the nonprofit wants to address socioeconomic and health disparities from all sides—and reverse alarming data showing residents in the district have much lower life expectancies compared to residents in other parts of the Indianapolis metro area.</p><p>“Over the last several years, we have listened closely to the voices of community members within the district’s boundaries to guide the development of this organization and will remain committed to listening to their input and feedback,” said Jamal Smith, executive director of the Indy Health District. “Our ultimate goal is to create physical and institutional frameworks that elevate the health and well-being of everyone who lives, works and plays in the Indy Health District.”</p><p>To monitor progress in its long-term mission, the group created a Health Impact Dashboard to track health outcomes and changes in primary social determinants of health. One of their six guiding principles is to ensure community access to high-quality medical care and health care amenities. Other efforts include cleanup and restoration of landscapes, reconfigured streets and intersections, and new public art installations.</p><p><a href="https://indyhealthdistrict.org/about" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about the Indy Health District.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/advocacy/access-and-health-coverage">Access to Care</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:15:34 -0600 Inclusion /news/blog/2024-07-17-como-adventhealth-creo-un-movimiento-multicultural-de-salud-mental <p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/news/blog/2024-07-17-how-adventhealth-created-multicultural-mental-health-movement">EnglISH</a></p><p>¿Qué pasa si una conversación puede cambiar, o incluso salvar, una vida? Esa fue la pregunta que AdventHealth buscó responder, cuando el sistema de salud lanzó un movimiento multicultural para lograr que la comunidad hispana en Florida Central hablara sobre la salud mental.</p><p>Lidera ConscienteMENTE es una campaña de desestigmatización, primera en su tipo, que obtiene información curada de expertos diseñada específicamente para una audiencia hispana para fomentar conversaciones abiertas sobre la salud mental.</p><p>Lidera ConscienteMENTE es una adaptación de la iniciativa en inglés Be a Mindleader de AdventHealth for Children, que, desde su lanzamiento hace un año, ha ayudado a niños y padres a sentirse más cómodos hablando de salud mental y ha conectado a cientos de familias con servicios de asesoramiento. Ahora, AdventHealth se ha asociado con Heart of Florida United Way para transcrear la campaña al español y llevar este poderoso mensaje a más personas y, a su vez, reducir el estigma, crear esperanza y llevar a las personas a buscar atención.</p><p>Al trabajar junto con médicos de talla mundial, socios comunitarios, personas influyentes en las redes sociales y familias en toda Florida Central, esta campaña tiene el potencial de transformar la vida de las personas.</p><h3><strong>Importancia del Mensaje</strong></h3><p>Los hospitales se encuentran en una posición única para abordar la crisis de salud mental, y AdventHealth ha visto de primera mano la alarmante cantidad de personas que luchan contra la ansiedad, la depresión e incluso la autolesión y las ideas suicidas.</p><p>El aspecto multicultural de la campaña también es particularmente importante, ya que una investigación de Heart of Florida United Way ha encontrado que el estigma negativo asociado con la salud mental es más prevalente entre las comunidades de habla hispana. De hecho, United Way descubrió que uno de cada tres latinos dice que tiene problemas de salud mental, pero solo el 5% está dispuesto a hablar de ello.</p><p>Inspirado por realizar un cambio significativo en la comunidad hispana e impulsado por la creencia de que la salud mental es tan importante como la salud física, AdventHealth inició el movimiento Lidera ConscienteMENTE en mayo de 2024 con el lanzamiento de <a href="https://networkofcare.adventhealth.com/es/central-florida-espanol/bienestar-mental">LideraConscienteMENTE.com,</a> una página web única para contenido sobre temas de actualidad de salud mental, recursos de crisis y líneas directas, y consejos de expertos para iniciar conversaciones con sus seres queridos. El contenido también se comparte en los canales de redes sociales dedicados en español de AdventHealth en <a href="https://www.instagram.com/adventhealthhispanoflcentral/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> y <a href="/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</p><p>A través de la misión de AdventHealth de acabar con el estigma en torno a la salud mental y capacitar a las personas para que hablen, los equipos de mercadeo y comunicaciones de la organización diseñaron una campaña de base, basándose en las relaciones con socios de medios para asegurar publicidad en estaciones de radio y televisión locales y en periódicos, revistas para padres y diarios de negocios, así como a través de vallas publicitarias, podcasts y medios de noticias en español.</p><p>A finales de este año, este importante mensaje también se transcreará al criollo haitiano, el tercer idioma más hablado en Florida Central después del inglés y el español.</p><h3><strong>Señales de cambio positivo</strong></h3><p>Solo ha pasado un año desde que AdventHealth for Children lanzó su campaña de desestigmatización en inglés y el sistema de salud ya está viendo señales de cambios positivos.</p><p>En una encuesta realizada a casi 200 familias de habla inglesa en toda Florida Central, el 77% de los padres dijeron que era más probable que hablaran sobre salud mental con sus hijos, y hubo un aumento en el número de padres que dijeron que se sentían más cómodos entablando conversaciones e identificando señales de advertencia de condiciones de salud mental y encontrando recursos relevantes para sus hijos después de ver la campaña.</p><p>Al reconocer el papel esencial que desempeñan los hospitales a la hora de abordar la crisis de salud mental de los jóvenes, AdventHealth for Children también pudo aprovechar su reputación en la comunidad de Florida Central como defensor de la atención integral, donde el bienestar emocional y mental de los niños es tan importante como su salud física.</p><p>Ahora, con el lanzamiento de Lidera ConscienteMENTE, AdventHealth está emocionado de ver cómo esta próxima fase de la campaña impacta a las comunidades hispanas en Florida Central.</p> Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:27:58 -0500 Inclusion /news/blog/2024-07-17-how-adventhealth-created-multicultural-mental-health-movement <p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/news/blog/2024-07-17-como-adventhealth-creo-un-movimiento-multicultural-de-salud-mental">ESPAÑOL</a></p><p>What if one conversation can change, or even save, a life? That was the question AdventHealth sought to answer, as the health system launched a multicultural movement to get the Hispanic community in Central Florida talking about mental health.</p><p>Lidera ConscienteMENTE is a first-of-its-kind destigmatization campaign creating curated expert information designed specifically for a Hispanic audience to encourage open conversations about mental health.</p><p>Lidera ConscienteMENTE is an adaptation of AdventHealth for Children’s English-language Be A Mindleader initiative, which, since launching a year ago, has helped children and parents become more comfortable discussing mental health and connected hundreds of families to counseling services. Now, AdventHealth has teamed up with Heart of Florida United Way to transcreate the campaign into Spanish and bring this powerful message to more people and in turn reduce stigma, create hope and lead people to seek care.</p><p>By working together with world-class clinicians, community partners, social media influencers and families throughout Central Florida, this campaign has the potential to transform people’s lives.</p><h3><strong>Getting the message out</strong></h3><p>Hospitals are in a unique position to address the mental health crisis, and AdventHealth has seen firsthand the alarming number of people struggling with anxiety, depression and even self-harm and suicidal ideation.</p><p>The multicultural aspect of the campaign is also particularly important, as Heart of Florida United Way research has found that the negative stigma associated with mental health is more prevalent among Spanish-speaking communities. In fact, United Way found that one in every three Latinos says they struggle with mental health, yet only 5% are open to talking about it.</p><p>Inspired to make meaningful change in the Hispanic community and fueled by the belief that mental health is as important as physical health, AdventHealth kicked off the Lidera ConscienteMENTE movement in May 2024 with the launch of <a href="https://networkofcare.adventhealth.com/es/central-florida-espanol/bienestar-mental">LideraConscienteMENTE.com</a> a one-stop shop for content on trending mental health topics, crisis resources and hotlines, and expert advice for starting conversations with loved ones. Content is also shared on AdventHealth’s dedicated Spanish-language social media channels on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/adventhealthhispanoflcentral/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdventHealthHispanoFloridaCentral" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</p><p>Through AdventHealth’s mission to break down the stigma around mental health and empower people to speak up, the organization’s marketing and communications teams designed a grassroots campaign, relying on relationships with media partners to secure in-kind advertising on local TV and radio stations, in newspapers, parenting magazines and business journals, as well as through billboards, podcasts and Spanish-language news outlets.</p><p>Later this year, this important message will also be transcreated into Haitian Creole, the third-most spoken language in Central Florida after English and Spanish.</p><h3><strong>Signs of positive change</strong></h3><p>It’s only been a year since AdventHealth for Children launched its English-language destigmatization campaign and already the health system is seeing signs of positive change.</p><p>In a survey of nearly 200 English-speaking families across Central Florida, 77% of parents said they were more likely to discuss mental health with their kids, and there was an increase in the number of parents who said they felt more comfortable striking up conversations, identifying warning signs of mental health conditions, and finding relevant resources for their children after seeing the campaign.</p><p>In recognizing the essential role hospitals play in addressing the youth mental health crisis, AdventHealth for Children was also able to build on its reputation in the Central Florida community as champion of whole-person care where children’s emotional and mental wellbeing is just as important as their physical health.</p><p>Now, with the launch of Lidera ConscienteMENTE, AdventHealth is excited to see how this next phase of the campaign impacts the Hispanic communities in Central Florida. </p> Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:14:18 -0500 Inclusion /node/694278 <p>This is a guide for leaders who would like to hold more productive and inclusive meetings. This one page handout features creating a role for a volunteer to serve as the Designated Inclusion Advocate. Leaders can provide a copy to all participants at the start of a meeting and request that one person volunteer to serve in this role. Ideally, this role rotates among meeting participants so that everyone can eventually have the opportunity to serve as the Designated Inclusion Advocate. This is a powerful step to make inclusive leadership practices come to life in a meaningful way.</p> Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:29:31 -0500 Inclusion /aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2023-07-18-5-things-gen-z-health-care-workers-want <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/2023-07/5-things-Gen-Z-health-care-workers-want.jpg " width="100%" height="100%" alt="5-things-Gen-Z-health-care-workers-want 5 Things Gen Z Health Care Workers Want. A group of Gen Z people lean against a wall while looking at their phones."><p>As the health care workforce continues to age, the challenge of effectively recruiting younger staff has taken shape not only in this field but in others as well.</p><p>Attracting and retaining Gen Z workers — those born between 1996 and 2010 — can be challenging, notes Bent Philipson, the founder of Philosophy Care, which provides care guidance to skilled nursing facilities in New York and New Jersey.</p><p>Gen Z health care workers have different expectations and values than the workforce that preceded them. It is important for leaders to understand these nuanced differences and anticipate how to adapt to meet these needs, Philipson wrote in a recent <a href="https://medcitynews.com/2023/06/gen-z-healthcare-workers-want-more-from-their-employers" target="_blank" title="MedCity News | Gen Z Healthcare Workers Want More From Their Employers" alt="Multiple Gen Z's leaning against a wall all on their cell phones">article</a>.</p><h2><span>Priorities for Gen Z Health Care Workers</span></h2><h3><span>1</span> <span>|</span> Tech-driven facilities</h3><p>Gen Z workers are digital natives and are comfortable with technology. While they expect employers to use the latest technology to improve patient care, they also want to see technology deployed to make their work more automated so they can have more time to focus on patients and their work.</p><h3><span>2</span> <span>|</span> Attainable work-life balance.</h3><p>This generation comprises highly motivated performers who recognize the importance of work-life balance. They want to work for organizations that offer benefits like flexible scheduling, remote work, employee-assistance programs and more time off. Gen Z workers who feel they have achieved a successful balance between their work and private life are likely to stay at one organization for a long time.</p><h3><span>3</span> <span>|</span> Greater access to mental health support.</h3><p>Mental health care is a growing concern for health care workers, and Gen Z workers are no exception. They want employers who prioritize mental health and provide employee resources for mental wellness, such as counseling services and stress-management. To improve mental health support, organizations also can provide regular mental health check-ins with staff, provide a safe space to discuss mental health concerns, and peer-support groups.</p><h3><span>4</span> <span>|</span> Diversity and inclusion across the organization.</h3><p>Gen Z workers want to work for employers who embrace diversity and create a welcoming environment for all employees. Hospitals and health systems can meet this need by promoting diversity in hiring practices, providing cultural competency training and creating employee-resource groups. Organizations also can partner with local organizations to support underrepresented communities in need of health care services.</p><h3><span>5</span> <span>|</span> Social responsibility.</h3><p>This generation is socially conscious and wants to work for employers who prioritize social responsibility and strive to make a positive impact on the community and the environment. Health care employers should be committed to engaging in community outreach programs, implementing environmentally friendly practices and supporting social justice causes.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/center" title="Visit the AHA Center for Health Innovation landing page."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/logo-aha-innovation-center-color-sm.jpg" data-entity-uuid="7ade6b12-de98-4d0b-965f-a7c99d9463c5" alt="AHA Center for Health Innovation logo" data-entity- width="721" height="130" class="align-center"></a></p><a href="/center/form/innovation-subscription"><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-04/Market_Scan_Call_Out_360x300.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type alt width="360" height="300"></a></div></div></div>.field_featured_image { position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } .featured-image{ position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } Tue, 18 Jul 2023 11:24:23 -0500 Inclusion /2023-leadership-council <hr><div class="row "><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="/sites/default/files/2022-06/Janet-Liang-150x150_0.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Janet Liang" width="150" height="150" align="left">Janet A. Liang<br><small>Chair</small></h4><p><strong>Executive Vice President, Group President</strong><br><strong>and Chief Operating Officer, Care Delivery Operations</strong><br>Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals<br><span>Oakland, CA</span></p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Mike%20Abrams%20150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Mike Abrams headshot" width="150" height="149" align="left">Mike Abrams<br><small>Board Liaison</small></h4><p><strong>President and Chief Executive Officer </strong><br>Ohio Hospital Association<br>Columbus, OH</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/Joy%20Lewis%20%282%29.jpg-150x150_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Joy Lewis Image " width="150" height="150" align="left">Joy A. Lewis, MSW, MPH<br><small>Executive Director</small></h4><p><strong>Senior Vice President, Health Equity Strategies</strong><br>���������� Association<br>Washington, DC</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-02/bowen_deborah.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Deborah J. Bowen headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE</h4><p><strong>President and CEO</strong><br>American College of Healthcare Executives<br>Chicago, IL</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Shelly%20Buck%20150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Shelly A. Buck headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">Shelly A. Buck</h4><p><strong>President</strong><br>Main Line Health Riddle Hospital<br>Media, PA</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Rosalyn-Carpenter-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Rosalyn Carpenter headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">Rosalyn Carpenter</h4><p><strong>Senior Vice President</strong><br>Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community Impact Officer<br>CommonSpirit Health<br>Chicago, IL</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Kathleen-A-Curran-headshot-150x150_0.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Kathleen Curran" width="150" height="150" align="left">Kathleen A. Curran</h4><p><strong>Senior Director, Public Policy</strong><br>The Catholic Health Association of the United States<br>Washington, DC</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Peggy-Harris-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Peggy Harris headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">Peggy Harris</h4><p><strong>Assistant Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion</strong><br>Atrium Health<br>Charlotte, NC</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/David-K-Lee-MD-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="David K. Lee, M.D." width="150" height="150" align="left">David Lee, M.D.</h4><p><strong>President, OhioHealthy Medical Plan</strong></p><p><strong>Vice President, OhioHealth Employer Services</strong><br>OhioHealth<br>Columbus, OH</p><p> </p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Lisa-Mallory-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Lisa Mallory headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">Lisa Mallory</h4><p><strong>President</strong><br>NAHSE<br>Washington, DC</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Charles-Modlin-MD-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Charles Modlin, M.D., headshot" width="146" height="146" align="left">Charles Modlin, M.D.</h4><p><strong>Medical Director, Inclusion Diversity Equity</strong><br>MetroHealth<br>Cleveland, OH</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Joseph-Perras-MD-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Joseph Perras, M.D., headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">Joseph Perras, M.D.</h4><p><strong>President and CEO</strong><br>Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center<br>Windsor, VT</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Marcos-Pesquera-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Marcos Pesquera headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">Marcos Pesquera</h4><p><strong>Vice President, Community Health and Chief Diversity Officer</strong><br>Christus Health<br>Irving, TX</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Jos%C3%A9-R-S%C3%A1nchez-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="José R. Sánchez headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">José R. Sánchez</h4><p><strong>President and CEO</strong><br>Humboldt Park Health<br>Chicago, IL</p></div></div></div><div class="col-md-6"><div class="panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><h4><img src="https://ifdhe.aha.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Yolanda-Wimberly-MD-headshot-150x150.jpg" data-entity-uuid="" data-entity-type="" alt="Yolanda Wimberly, M.D., headshot" width="150" height="150" align="left">Yolanda Wimberly, M.D.</h4><p><strong>Senior Vice President, Inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer</strong><br>Grady Health System<br>Atlanta, GA</p></div></div></div></div> Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600 Inclusion /case-studies/2023-01-03-sinai-chicago-illinois <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <h2><span>Overview</span></h2> <p><img alt="Sinai Chicago, Illinois." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7280f3b-9b06-4fe1-afd0-ccfed82f53e7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sinai-Chicago-Illinois.jpg" width="512" height="440" class="align-right">Sinai Chicago comprises a network of four hospitals, more than 15 community clinics, a community institute, and a nationally recognized research institute that all serve communities on Chicago's West and Southwest sides. Since 1919, Sinai Chicago has worked to create a health care system where the community and an individual’s beliefs, values, and needs are respected and where their languages and cultures are welcomed.</p> <p>With more than 800 physicians and approximately 3,300 caregivers on staff, an epidemiological research institute focusing on health care disparities, and a community institute offering more than 15 programs serving an area of 1.5 million people, Sinai Chicago puts people at the center of everything it does, working to improve the health of the individuals and communities it serves.</p> <p>Sinai Chicago also operates the Sinai Medical Group (SMG), a primary care and specialty physician group with more than 15 community clinics across the Chicagoland area. SMG providers offer compassionate, quality care to patients of all ages, accept all forms of insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, and deliver care on a sliding fee scale, based on ability to pay.</p> <blockquote> <h3><span><em>“When racism and systemic issues create a situation where children from certain ZIP codes or racial groups struggle to thrive from that very first moment, it plays a part in all health inequities we see down the line.”</em></span></h3> <p><span><strong>Pam Roesch</strong></span><br> Director of health equity and assessment research at Sinai Urban Health Institute</p> </blockquote> <h2><span>Patient–Payer Mix</span></h2> <p>Sinai Chicago faces a challenging patient-payer mix. The communities it serves face some of the city's most severe systemic barriers to care and suffer the greatest health disparities. Approximately 45% of Sinai Chicago patients face food insecurity, and 25% report experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder due to community violence. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and pediatric asthma disproportionately impact community members and are significantly higher than the national average.</p> <p>With the majority of patients coming from historically marginalized communities, over 50% of Sinai Chicago’s patients are covered by Medicaid and 26% are covered by Medicare. On average, Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries represent more than 92% of total visits. Medicaid and Medicare make up 79% of Sinai Chicago’s net patient revenue. Since more than 10% of patients do not have health insurance of any kind, Sinai Chicago provides more than $40 million in uncompensated care every year.</p> <h2><span>Sinai Chicago's Unique Approach to Care</span></h2> <p>Despite many challenges, Sinai Chicago works hard to serve the community and holistically care for every patient that walks through its doors.</p> <h3><span>Investment in Community Health</span></h3> <p>Sinai Chicago has long pioneered community health as a way to improve patient outcomes in the city’s historically marginalized communities. For more than 25 years, the system has operated the Sinai Community Institute, which serves approximately 14,000 families each year by developing effective community-based health and social service programs to improve health and well-being by addressing social, economic, and environmental factors. Furthermore, the Sinai Urban Health Institute works in partnership with community members and organizations to document disparities and meet the shared goal of a healthier community. And the Sinai Medical Group’s 15 practices provide primary care and specialty medicine in neighborhoods with few, if any, alternatives to accessing health care.</p> <h3><span>Public-Private Partnerships as Community Development</span></h3> <p>A lack of affordable housing, employment opportunities, and access to basic services such as banking all impact the health and well-being of many Chicago communities. To help address the needs of Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, Sinai Chicago partnered with The Habitat Company, Chicago Housing Authority, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, and the City to transform 10 acres of mostly vacant property into 120,000 square feet of commercial and retail space plus hundreds of mixed-income housing units. The Ogden Commons project represents a meaningful investment in a long-disinvested community.</p> <h3><span>Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workforce</span></h3> <p>Recognizing the responsibility to address structural inequities among the workforce, Sinai Chicago has been very intentional about investing in DEI. Among the executives on Sinai Chicago's senior leadership team, 51% identify as people of color—higher than many other health systems. Sinai Chicago is also a member of the Healthcare Forward collaboration, which provides workforce development and promotes health care careers across Chicago’s West and South sides.</p> <h2><span>Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals Need Greater Support</span></h2> <p>Despite the financial challenges Sinai Chicago faces, the system has maintained its commitment to improving the health of the individuals and communities it serves. But to be more impactful, adapt to a fast-changing health care landscape, and invest in critical infrastructure, staff, and care services, MAHs like Sinai Chicago need additional support.</p> <p>“Faced with inflation and higher costs, our only options are to cut essential services or seek out additional federal or state funding,” said Gary Krugel, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer of Sinai Chicago. With adequate, sustained federal support, MAHs like Sinai Chicago will be better positioned to maintain and expand essential programs, increase capacity to care, and continually adapt to meet their communities’ evolving medical needs.</p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/guidesreports/2022-10-21-exploring-metropolitan-anchor-hospitals-and-communities-they-serve" target="_blank" title="Click here to read the Exploring Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals and the Communities They Serve report and download the PDF.">Read the Exploring Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals and the Communities They Serve report</a></div> <p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2023/01/Chicago-Sinai-MAH-Case-Study.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Sinai Chicago, Illinois: Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals (MAH)case study PDF."><img alt="Sinai Chicago, Illinois: Metropolitan Anchor Hospital (MAH) case study page 1." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d074c6ba-9d4b-42d8-9aaf-8f50808f8331" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Chicago-Sinai-MAH-Case-Study.png" width="695" height="900"></a></p> <hr><div class="views-element-container"> <section class="top-level-view js-view-dom-id-fedbb1e250be29525021f5cbde108a85d42f1e82eda6776b4fcbc0087eb325db resource-block"> <h2 id="mahcasestudies">Metropolitan Anchor Hospital Case Studies</h2> <div class="resource-wrapper"> <div class="resource-view"> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/2024-01-04-adventist-health-bakersfield-california" hreflang="en">Adventist Health Bakersfield | California</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-01-04T08:41:22-06:00">Jan 4, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-12-05-henry-ford-hospital-michigan" hreflang="en">Henry Ford Hospital | Michigan</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-12-05T10:22:49-06:00">Dec 5, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-access-level"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="meta custom-lock-position"> <div class="views-field-access-level access-type-public" data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="Members only"><a href="/taxonomy/term/278" hreflang="en">Public</a></div> </div></div> </div><div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-10-25-denver-health-system-colorado" hreflang="en">Denver Health System | Colorado</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-10-25T06:00:00-05:00">Oct 25, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-05-12-broadlawns-medical-center-iowa" hreflang="en">Broadlawns Medical Center | Iowa</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-05-12T15:13:18-05:00">May 12, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-05-10-mlk-community-healthcare-california" hreflang="en">MLK Community Healthcare | California</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-05-10T08:48:40-05:00">May 10, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="more-link"><a href="/mah-case-studies">More MAH Case Studies</a></div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:39:47 -0600 Inclusion /case-studies/2022-12-01-university-health-kansas-city-missouri <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><h2><span>Overview</span></h2><p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/University-Health-Kansas-City-Missouri.jpg" data-entity-uuid="d9bea774-fcca-408c-b30f-916452e4034d" data-entity-type="file" alt="University Health (Kansas City), Missouri." width="420" height="262" class="align-right">University Health (UH), formerly known as Truman Medical Centers, is the non-profit successor to the public hospitals of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson County, Missouri. Founded in 1962, University Health is an academic medical center providing accessible, state-of-the-art quality health care to the Kansas City community without regard for whether one has insurance or not. With two acute care hospitals and more than 70 primary and specialty clinics, University Health employs more than 4,500 highly trained individuals.</p><p>Affiliated with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, University Health trains the new generation of health care providers by providing innovative instruction to more than 600 medical students and 350 resident physicians annually, and by offering cutting-edge care to all patients. University Health is home to one of only two adult Level 1 Trauma Centers in the city; the area’s largest behavioral health program; and, the only freestanding specialty and surgery center in downtown Kansas City. A new women's and primary care health center opened in late 2020. University Health delivers nearly half of the babies born in Kansas City, Missouri. University Health also operates the Jackson County Health Department.</p><p>In addition to its hospital facilities, University Health has primary care clinics throughout Jackson County. University Health also brings health care to the community via mobile clinics where providers perform health screenings, share health information, and provide testing and vaccines, as well as distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to schools and other sites around the community.</p><blockquote><h3><span><em>"University Health is an academic health center providing accessible, state-of-the-art quality healthcare to our community regardless of the ability to pay.”</em></span></h3><p>University Health’s Mission Statement</p></blockquote><h2><span>Patient–Payer Mix</span></h2><p>University Health’s patients have a variety of medical and socioeconomic needs. Because Kansas City has a substantial population of immigrants and refugees, many University Health patients need interpretation services and culturally competent care that respects personal values. As a result, University Health provides its clinical and nonclinical staff with cultural competency-based training and development. In 2021, the system provided more than 224,000 interpretation services in more than 100 languages, including Arabic, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese, and American Sign Language.</p><p>As a metropolitan anchor hospital (MAH), about half of University Health’s patient population comes from historically marginalized communities; most patients are uninsured or underinsured. Together, Medicaid and Medicare make up 72% of all visits, 59.7% of all discharges, and 63.3% of net patient revenue. A relatively small percentage of patients have commercial insurance. Last year, University Health provided nearly $140 million in uncompensated care. MAHs like University Health face significant financial challenges, low margins, and workforce shortages—all of which have been greatly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet despite these challenges, University Health continues to provide more uncompensated care than all other hospitals combined in Kansas City, as well as the most uncompensated care in the state of Missouri per capita.</p><h2><span>University Health's Unique Approach to Care</span></h2><p>To achieve its mission of providing accessible, state-of-the-art quality health care regardless of patients’ ability to pay, University Health leadership has worked to:</p><h3><span>Engage with the Community</span></h3><p>University Health maintains robust partnerships throughout the Kansas City community. For example, the Community Health Strategy & Innovation team finds new ways to educate Kansas City residents and promote long-term solutions to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Using a wellness connection model, community health nurses deliver preventive services in multiple locations. University Health also is proud to provide evidence-based programs designed to address social determinants, such as health education and access to care.</p><p>Recognizing the social and economic factors that influence health care outcomes, University Health utilizes cultural health navigators with its patients and operates the Healthy Harvest Mobile Market; a trauma-informed care education program; and, a nutritional education program. The system employs more than 40 social workers, connects the community with social services, including housing assistance, and maintains relationships with area transportation authorities to make it easier for patients to access the care they need. University Health also operates Missouri’s largest WIC program.</p><h3><span>Foster a Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion</span></h3><p>University Health believes it is essential to maintain a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is evidenced by ranking first in Missouri and eighth in United States on the Lown Institute Hospital Index for Social Responsibility’s racial inclusivity ranking; ranking sixth on Forbes Magazine’s Best Employers for Diversity list in the Health and Social category; and, maintaining Leader status on the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index for five consecutive years. To build a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, University Health has enhanced physician and provider recruitment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. In addition, the University Health Supplier Diversity Program works with historically underused businesses, such as Minority Owned Business Enterprises and Women Owned Business Enterprises, service-disabled veterans, and representatives of the LGBTQ+ community.</p><h2><span>Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals Need Support</span></h2><p>Despite the financial challenges MAHs face, University Health continues to support innovative programs to improve the health and wellbeing of the Kansas City community. University Health hopes to intensify its efforts, especially by strengthening its workforce and expanding the care it provides to its growing, diverse population. University Health, like all MAHs, must have more stable funding and resources. Without this support, innovation will stop, and patients will not thrive.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/guidesreports/2022-10-21-exploring-metropolitan-anchor-hospitals-and-communities-they-serve" target="_blank" title="Click here to read the Exploring Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals and the Communities They Serve report and download the PDF.">Read the Exploring Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals and the Communities They Serve report</a></div><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/10/University-Health-Kansas-City-MAH-Case-Study.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the University Health (Kansas City), Missouri: Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals (MAH)case study PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-University-Health-Kansas-City-MAH-Case-Study.png" data-entity-uuid="f756e1a5-1b68-4e5c-a905-0fc4e2425872" data-entity-type="file" alt="University Health (Kansas City), Missouri: Metropolitan Anchor Hospital (MAH) case study page 1." width="695" height="900"></a></p><hr><p><div class="views-element-container"> <section class="top-level-view js-view-dom-id-78cdb1b29c3702670b2de1b979a6c2c4a12737a5199b52710bb4f0608cee9521 resource-block"> <h2 id="mahcasestudies">Metropolitan Anchor Hospital Case Studies</h2> <div class="resource-wrapper"> <div class="resource-view"> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/2024-01-04-adventist-health-bakersfield-california" hreflang="en">Adventist Health Bakersfield | California</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-01-04T08:41:22-06:00">Jan 4, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-12-05-henry-ford-hospital-michigan" hreflang="en">Henry Ford Hospital | Michigan</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-12-05T10:22:49-06:00">Dec 5, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-access-level"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="meta custom-lock-position"> <div class="views-field-access-level access-type-public" data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="Members only"><a href="/taxonomy/term/278" hreflang="en">Public</a></div> </div></div> </div><div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-10-25-denver-health-system-colorado" hreflang="en">Denver Health System | Colorado</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-10-25T06:00:00-05:00">Oct 25, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-05-12-broadlawns-medical-center-iowa" hreflang="en">Broadlawns Medical Center | Iowa</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-05-12T15:13:18-05:00">May 12, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-05-10-mlk-community-healthcare-california" hreflang="en">MLK Community Healthcare | California</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-05-10T08:48:40-05:00">May 10, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="more-link"><a href="/mah-case-studies">More MAH Case Studies</a></div> </section> </div> </p></div></div></div> Thu, 01 Dec 2022 09:04:37 -0600 Inclusion /news/chairpersons-file/2022-08-08-making-impact-advance-health-equity <p>The AHA has long believed that tackling health disparities and promoting diversity within health care leadership are critical to ensuring high-quality care for all people.</p> <p>To recognize outstanding efforts by hospitals and health systems to provide quality, equitable care for all patients and promote diversity and inclusion in leadership and governance, each year the AHA honors winners of the Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award.</p> <p>The 2022 Equity of Care Award winner is Mount Sinai Health System of New York City. Mount Sinai is being recognized for multiple health equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Most notably, the health system created a <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/about/addressing-racism/road-map" target="_blank">Road Map for Action</a> that outlines specific strategies to drive change, including initiatives to recruit and retain Black and other underrepresented minority staff and faculty, partnerships to accelerate anti-racism efforts within the organization and a push for innovative solutions to eliminate health disparities.</p> <p>Mount Sinai also has worked to address inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The health system performed COVID-19 testing at more than 400 community events throughout New York City. Via its “vaxmobile,” members of the Mount Sinai team administered approximately 8,000 vaccinations across Nassau County, significantly expanding their outreach efforts to address disparities associated with COVID-19.</p> <p>Other diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives led by Mount Sinai include:</p> <ul> <li>developing a robust collection method to increase the collection and use of race, ethnicity and language preference data, including establishing metrics and dashboards that assess health inequities;</li> <li>building a strong diversity, equity and inclusion educational portfolio on such topics as anti-racism, data and disparities, and unconscious bias; and</li> <li>creating an Executive Diversity Leadership Dashboard that monitors the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of executive and senior leaders at the top three levels of the organization.</li> </ul> <p>As a result of these and other initiatives, more than 7,000 staff and students have participated in DEI-related educational sessions, and the percentage of women and underrepresented minorities in leadership positions at Mount Sinai has increased.</p> <p>Two other health care organizations were recognized this year as Equity of Care Award honorees: Novant Health in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Thomas Jefferson University/Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.</p> <p>You can learn more about the important work of these health systems and the impact by visiting <a href="/press-releases/2022-07-07-american-hospital-association-recognizes-mount-sinai-health-system-2022" target="_blank">AHA.org</a>. In addition, the <a href="https://ifdhe.aha.org/" target="_blank">AHA Institute for Diversity and Health Equity</a> offers a number of toolkits, programs and resources to support hospitals on their journey to strengthen health equity, including the recently launched <a href="https://equity.aha.org/" target="_blank">Health Equity Roadmap</a>.</p> <p>Congratulations to the leaders and teams at these health care organizations honored as equity award recipients. Their efforts offer inspiring examples for the rest of the field as we all work to accelerate health equity and diversity and advance inclusive practices.</p> Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:19:54 -0500 Inclusion