HJBR May/Jun 2019

50 MAY / JUN 2019 I  Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge population over the age of 25 did not com- plete high school. The assessment also not- ed that more than half of Louisiana’s par- ishes are designated as geographic health professional shortage areas for primary, dental, and mental health care services—an issue made even more significant in a state where 42 percent of the adult population considers itself in less than fair health. Community & Provider Engagement Recognizing the broader impact of the issues highlighted in LDH’s report, Lou- isiana Healthcare Connections created an integrated network of community and provider partners to begin addressing the root issues that are negatively impacting health in our state. One of the most successful examples of this partnership, a series of pop-up health column INSURANCE Population Health Partners: A New Approach to Louisiana’s health Understanding the Landscape A comprehensive review of a state’s overall healthcare landscape provides the data neces- sary to identify the root causes of poor health ratings, health inequities, and gaps in care. For this reason, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) led a complete statewide as- sessment as part of a larger health improve- ment plan. In the “Louisiana State Health Assessment and Improvement Plan,” LDH noted, “Socio- economic factors are well-known and im- portant determinants of health. Educational attainment, employment status, and income level are some of the strongest predictors of health behaviors, access to healthcare, and health status.” In the assessment, LDH found that nearly 20percent of our state’s population falls below the federal poverty level, and 25 percent of the As the healthcare system shifts from a volume-based model to one driven by value, the focus on population health management (PHM) is becoming increasingly important. At its core, PHM seeks to improve the health of populations through cost-effective, efficient care. In Louisiana, a largely rural state that has all too often ranked among the lowest in the nation in outcomes and costs, we know that successful PHM strategies require a three-pronged approach. This approach incorporates local data, community and provider partnerships, and a social determinants of health (SDOH) strategy to drive results for one of Louisiana’s most vulnerable patient populations. clinics in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles that provide no-cost dental, vision, and primary care services at the community level, has connected approximately 3,100 uninsured and underinsured individuals and families with critical care services over the past 18 months. The clinics were powered entirely by 1,750 volunteers from municipal entities, community organizations, local businesses, and healthcare professionals from across the state. “There is a tremendous need in our com- munity for these services, and we are grate- ful for the partners who share our commit- ment to helping people get the care they need,” says Baton Rouge Free Clinic Direc- tor and Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lew- is. “By working together as a community, we have the opportunity to truly transform health for local families.”