Administration Updates

HHS: Biden-Harris Administration Awards Nearly $9 Million to Improve Access to Cancer Screening and Connections to Follow-up Treatment in Underserved Communities to Deliver on Biden Cancer Moonshot Goals (8/7) - HHS awarded nearly $9 million to 18 HRSA-funded health centers to improve access to life-saving cancer screenings in underserved communities. 

FDA: Discussion Paper Health Equity for Medical Devices (8/5) - The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has developed a discussion paper, Health Equity For Medical Devices, and seeks input from the public on advancing health equity on the context of medical devices. 

SDoH & Health Equity in the News

Health Affairs: Transportation As A Determinant Of Health: Evaluating The Veterans Affairs Rideshare Program For Homeless Patients (8/8) - The study found that veterans using the VA Rideshare program were more likely to have psychiatric conditions and urgent care visits, and the program was associated with increased use of VA outpatient and inpatient services and fewer missed appointments, demonstrating the benefits of providing transportation support to homeless veterans.

STAT: Scientists are Starting to Uncover How Neighborhood Can Affect the Biology of Cancer (8/7) - The article explores how neighborhood social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status and access to resources, influence cancer risks and outcomes, highlighting the need for integrating social context into cancer genetics research and care.

Medical XPress: Ending Unequal Treatment: Strategies to Achieve Equitable Health Care and Optimal Health for All (8/1) - The article discusses the ongoing challenges of unequal treatment in healthcare and explores strategies to create more equitable health systems, emphasizing the importance of addressing systemic biases and social determinants of health.

Health Affairs: Advancing Equity in Kidney Transplantation Through the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (8/1) - The article discusses strategies to advance equity in kidney transplantation by improving access to organ transplants for underserved populations, particularly focusing on addressing disparities that affect communities of color. The piece highlights initiatives aimed at increasing organ donation rates and ensuring equitable access to transplantation services, particularly for those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Fierce: Championing Equity in Skin of Color Dermatology (7/31) - Many dermatologists lack training in recognizing skin conditions in people of color, leading to misdiagnoses, but efforts like NYU Langone’s Skin of Color Section are working to improve diversity and equity in dermatology.

New Research & Reports

JAMA: Better Data to Improve Medicaid (8/8) - The article discusses the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a national health information exchange system to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.

BMC: Health and Non-Health Benefits and Equity Impacts of Individual-Level Economic Relief Programs During Epidemics/Pandemics in High Income Settings: A Scoping Review (8/5) - The article evaluates the effectiveness of a community-based intervention aimed at increasing physical activity and improving health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults, particularly in underserved communities.

Tech Target: Community Health Center Access Up By 1 Million Patients (8/5) - The article reports that community health centers in the U.S. have increased access by serving 1 million more patients in 2022, largely due to expanded services and investments in healthcare infrastructure.

The Lancet: Associations of Social Determinants of Health with Life Expectancy and Future Health Risks Among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: Two Nationwide Cohort Studies in the UK and USA (8/3) - The article discusses the importance of implementing systems of care that address the unique needs of people living with HIV in rural areas, emphasizing the need for tailored, community-based approaches to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in these underserved populations.

AMA: Innovate Health Systems Use Data to Advance Health Equity (7/29) - Innovative health systems use stratified data on patient-harm events by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors to identify and correct health inequities, enhancing the quality and safety of care.

JPHMP Direct: Using Health Equity-Informed Eligibility Criteria to Improve Access to Pharmacists for Comprehensive Medication Management (7/29) - Despite ongoing efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the U.S., disparities persist due to social determinants of health, but a collaborative intervention using pharmacist-led comprehensive medication management (CMM) in disadvantaged neighborhoods has shown promise in improving health equity and outcomes for at-risk patients.

Upcoming Events

Webinar: August 21, 2024 - CHCS, "Braiding Funding Streams to Deliver Integrated Care for Medi-Cal Members Under CalAIM" | Virtual
Conference: October 16-18, 2024 - Camden Coalition + UPMC, "Putting Care at the Center 2024" | Pittsburgh, PA