Working With ACOs To Address Social Determinants Of Health
Robert Mechanic Ashley Fitch HealthAffairs Forefront 1/10/2023
A recent study by Genevra F. Murray and colleagues examined 22 ACOs that were early adopters of initiatives to address the social determinants of heath (SDOH). The study, based on interviews conducted in 2015–18, concluded that despite strong interest, these organizations encountered significant difficulties integrating medical and social services. The principal challenges included: lack of data on their patient’s social needs and the capabilities of potential community partners; lack of mature partnerships between ACOs and community-based organizations (CBOs); and difficulty determining how to assess the return on investment of this work.
