Population Health is defined as strategies that link clinical and non-clinical approaches (such as housing or access to food) for improving the health of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group. These groups can be geographically defined (e.g., zip code or city) or they may share some characteristics (such as age or income level).
Please sign on and join KHA and the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative in partnership to eliminate health care disparities.
Using Z-Codes Infographic - The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Data Journey to Better Outcomes
AHA Guidance on using ICD-10 coding for Social Determinants of Health
Z codes are a subset of the ICD-10-CM codes for the reporting of factors influencing health status. When assigned properly, these codes carry great potential in addressing population health. Identifying socio-economic factors for patients and patient populations facilitates combining clinical and social interventions to improve care coordination and identify the most appropriate modes of care. Melissa Brown, RHIT and Julie Engelland, RHIT, CCS, CIC, published an article in KS Engage that lists the codes, explains their importance and provides a list of reference materials and resources.
This KHA white paper was published in September 2022, measuring community health needs with hospital data. Assessing community health and social factors at the ZIP code level within counties across Kansas is a powerful strategy to optimize resources for effective community health improvement initiatives.
To help clinicians address social determinants of health within a framework that maximizes their skills while helping organizations systemically approach these challenges, the AHA Physician Alliance has created a virtual expedition consisting of five modules. Built around the proactive concept of upstream care, the series was developed with Rishi Manchanda, MD, MPH., president and CEO at HealthBegins, an organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening the work of frontline clinicians and community partners to improve care and address the social determinants of health.
Check out these resources and more at www.aha.org/physicians/SDOH