Virtua Health Collaborates with Unite Us to Tackle Patients’ Social Determinants of Health
Introduction to the Collaboration
Virtua Health has announced a strategic partnership with Unite Us, an organization dedicated to bridging healthcare and social services. This coordination aims to enhance how healthcare providers address the social determinants impacting patients’ health. By integrating these essential elements into care strategies, both organizations seek to foster healthier communities.
Understanding Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health encompass various factors including economic stability, education accessibility, neighborhood conditions, and social support networks. These elements play a crucial role in influencing individual health outcomes but are often overlooked in traditional medical practices. The collaboration between Virtua Health and Unite Us emphasizes recognizing and responding to these challenges as part of comprehensive patient care.
The Role of Technology in Addressing Needs
The innovative platform developed by Unite Us provides healthcare professionals with tools that facilitate real-time communication and coordination among community-based organizations. This connectivity is pivotal for identifying patients in need of additional support beyond clinical services. For instance, through this technology, clinicians can seamlessly refer patients for resources related to housing stability or financial assistance when needed.
Current Landscape: Statistics Highlighting the Need
Research indicates that nearly 80% of an individual’s health outcomes are influenced by factors outside direct medical treatment—primarily determined by socio-economic conditions. With approximately 30% of individuals reporting difficulties related to food security or affordable housing access (as per recent studies), it becomes increasingly clear why initiatives like those from Virtua Health are essential.
A Focus on Community Engagement
The partnership will focus not only on addressing immediate patient needs but also on building sustainable connections within the community framework. This initiative encourages proactive involvement from local resources such as food banks, educational programs, and mental health services which can further alleviate some barriers faced by residents engaging with the healthcare system.
Patient-Centered Care Through Integrated Services
By leveraging Unite Us’s network of community partners along with its own extensive service offerings, Virtua Health is poised to implement more personalized care strategies tailored toward each patient’s unique circumstances. Such holistic approaches will pave the way for improved treatment adherence levels while enhancing overall well-being among diverse population segments.
Strengthening Public Awareness
An integral part of this partnership involves educating both healthcare providers and their patients about available resources designed to meet their specific needs outside conventional medical settings. Awareness campaigns aimed at informing individuals about how they can access these support systems will be crucial in promoting engagement throughout this collaborative effort.
Conclusion: A Path Forward for Healthcare Access
the cooperation between Virtua Health and Unite Us embodies a significant step forward in redefining how healthcare engages with social needs distinctly affecting patient well-being. By prioritizing both clinical excellence and actionable resource delivery within communities they serve together strive towards achieving not just healthier patients but a healthier society overall—one that recognizes that true wellness extends beyond mere physical ailments into broader socio-economic dimensions.
