Health disparities are a persistent issue, with certain communities facing significantly worse health outcomes than others. This gap is often present in access to quality post-acute services, particularly for those requiring inpatient rehabilitation.
Discover which health disparities could be impacting your hospital’s community and actions your organization can take to overcome these challenges.
Current State of Health and Healthcare Disparities1
Healthy People 2030 defines a health disparity, as “a particular type of health difference that is linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage,” and that negatively affects groups of people who have systematically experienced greater obstacles to health.
But where do we currently stand as a nation with health disparities? Here are some key insights that could be prevalent in your hospital’s community:
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- Rural communities face barriers to accessing care due to a lack of providers and longer travel times to receive care, as well as more limited access to adequate health coverage.
- 1 in 5 Black adults and 1 in 5 Hispanic adults report being treated unfairly due to their race or ethnicity while receiving care for themselves or a family member in the past year.
- 1 in 10 of adult women who visited a healthcare provider in the past two years reported experiencing discrimination because of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or some other personal characteristic.
- An estimated 14 million people could lose Medicaid coverage due to the ending of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provisions in March 2023. Most of which is projected to be Hispanic and Black individuals.
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These numbers are expected to increase as the population grows in both size and diversity. It is critical for hospitals to help ensure every person can access the care they need to remain healthy close to home.
Overcoming Health Disparities Through Partnership
Effective partnerships are essential for advancing health equity.
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) provided a framework to help hospitals and health systems begin the journey to improving health equity in their communities. A key component outlined in IHI’s framework includes increasing access to healthcare services through the building of healthcare facilities in underserved communities.2
Communities with easy access to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) or acute rehabilitation unit (ARU) are more likely to successfully discharge home without running the risk of readmission in the next 30 days.3
However, building and operating an effect rehabilitation program can be challenging.
One way hospital’s have been able to successfully expand their service offerings, whether it be through new hospital construction or program integration within their existing facility, is through the guidance and support of a trusted rehabilitation partner.
Partnerships, such as joint ventures (JVs) and contract management agreements, continue to serve as optimal solutions for hospitals looking to elevate their care offerings and improve their financial standing, while simultaneously addressing healthcare disparities in their community.
Contact us today to learn how Lifepoint Rehabilitation can help your hospital address the growing patient need in your community through a joint venture or contract management partnership.
You also may be interested in: Effective Hybrid Partnership Models to Enhance Hospital Performance and Outcomes
References:
- https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/disparities-in-health-and-health-care-5-key-question-and-answers/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425859/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6052014/
