CPCA Addresses Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to Improve Health Outcomes and Increase Health Equity amid COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and continuous efforts to promote health equity, the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) is addressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) that exacerbate health outcomes, which have been compounded by the pandemic, by offering resources that equip health centers to address the social needs in their communities. CPCA remains a leading partner with health centers throughout California to better support the social justice movement, which is at the core of the mission for community health centers that serve California’s most complex and underserved patients. Health centers assist patients who have an increased likelihood of experiencing poor health outcomes related to their environment. Examples of social determinants of health are housing, food insecurity, transportation, domestic violence, poverty, education and more.
COVID-19 and Increased Health Disparities
From May 2020 through June 19, 2020, California Community Health Centers reported 15,680 cases of COVID within their patient population. Health Center data shows a significantly higher rate of COVID infections in patients who identify as Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic Black / African American. Of the COVID cases identified at health centers, 70% of the patients identified as Hispanic or Latino while 7.5% and 6.2% identified as Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White, respectively. The increasing number of cases shows that Hispanic/Latinos are at a significantly higher risk than all other races/ethnicities.
Health Centers Address Rising Food Insecurity
Heath Equity, which respects the importance that every person should have equitable access to resources that support health, is an essential piece of social justice. Health Centers have always pursued health equity in their communities prior to COVID-19, and now with health disparities being compounded by the pandemic, the issue of health justice has become a leading priority. Health Centers are now directing even more focus to health care and social needs for vulnerable communities.
Patients served by community health centers have been having increased difficulty accessing food, as many have lost their jobs and are experiencing an economic burden. Many health centers have addressed this by providing access to food distribution to both patients and non-patients in their communities, helping to ensure all have access to food no matter who they are. Health Center partnerships with organizations such as food banks have been essential in meeting food insecurities exacerbated in the community.
Health Centers Expand COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 testing should be readily available to ALL in order to effectively contain the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable. In order to test more community members, health centers have formed partnerships to expand testing to the state’s most vulnerable residents. Some health centers have opened mobile testing sites that provide COVID-19 testing to both patients and non-patients living in their community. Additionally, other health centers have partnered with universities in order to expand testing to the homeless population. Expansion of testing to both health center communities and homeless populations will reveal the impact of COVID-19 on this vulnerable population.
Health Centers Address Social Determinants of Health
Each step taken by these health centers has saved lives. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are at the heart of the inequities that need to be addressed in order to ensure social justice through health equity is eventually met. It is estimated that 40 percent of a patient’s health outcomes are attributed to SDOH. COVID-19 impacts all communities and exploits the most vulnerable and low-income patients. This pandemic brings social determinants of health to the forefront of health care delivery for the populations we serve, and directly affects health center patients.
One example of how SDOH currently affects patients amid the pandemic is access to reliable transportation. A community health center patient may experience difficulty accessing COVID-19 testing due to limited transportation, while a patient with access to transportation is able to get tested. The access to transportation could be lifesaving. This is just one example among a gamut of difficulties that arise from SDOH.
SDOH Technical Assistance and Training
CPCA provides technical assistance and training on implementing successful screening of SDOH for California’s community health centers. CPCA has worked with thirty-three organizations to support health centers in implementing the Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients' Assets, Risks, and Experiences, more widely known as PRAPARE, screening tool, capturing the data with appropriate workflows, interviewing patients, and lastly informing the necessary partnerships to address the need. CPCA also hosts quarterly SDOH Peer Network meetings and health center staff have access to shared learning via the Connected Communities page.
Using collaborative techniques and communication from all levels, CPCA has partnered with community health centers and community-based organizations to offer virtual training and assistance in meeting patients’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit our Event Calendar for a list of upcoming webinars and SDOH Peer Network meetings and our On-Demand Training page for access to past trainings. With the current pandemic and the fluidity of information, CPCA will also be hosting a statewide meeting. This will be done by bringing together partners to strategize on the next critical steps for meeting the needs of health center patients throughout this pandemic and beyond.