Humana Foundation invests $1.84 million to address social determinants of health
Health insurers and providers are increasingly addressing the social determinants to bring down costs and to provide better care.
The Humana Foundation is investing $1.84 million to address the social determinants of health in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Jacksonville, Florida.
One million is going to the Truck2Table pilot program in Knoxville and is also being invested to address health barriers in East Tennessee in a partnership with InterFaith Health Clinic and Catapult 4D.
In Jacksonville, the Humana Foundation is giving $820,000 to the Health-Smart program to create holistic health programs. The foundation will also work with the University of Florida to address social isolation and food insecurity.
Health-Smart brings together existing health, wellness and church centers to serve minority, underserved and/or low-income Jacksonville seniors. The Health-Smart behavior program aims to increase social connections, food security and physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being.
The program also includes Health-Smart group sessions led by trained coaches, connections to food security resources and health insurance enrollment, as well as disease screening and other assistance.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Health insurers and providers are increasingly addressing the social determinants of health to bring down costs and to provide better care.
Montefiore Health System in the Bronx has realized a 300 percent return on investment from social determinants investments.
America's Health Insurance Plans said strategies from insurers include housing assistance, community-based support and on-site healthcare.
THE TREND
Humana's investments are part of the foundation's new strategic community investments work.
In 2018, the foundation will invest $7 million in nonprofit organizations as part of Humana's "Bold Goal" to improve the health of the communities it serves by 20 percent by 2020.
It is operating in seven communities including San Antonio, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Knoxville, Tennessee; and in Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Broward County, Florida.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com
