Highlights

• Reminder - CDC released Social Determinants Accelerator Plans funding opportunity – Due July 11
• Biden-Harris Administration Launches Initiative to Improve Cancer Outcomes in Low-Income Areas
• South Dakota Expands Medicaid Bringing Health Coverage to More than 52,000 State Residents

Member News 

Senior Housing News: United Church Homes, Nonprofits, Form New Groups Aimed at Capitalizing on Value-Based Care (6/23) - United Church Homes is collaborating with a group of health care nonprofits, which will become an affiliate of CareSource, to improve access to care and services for seniors as they age.

PR Newswire: Unite Us Partners with HOPE for a Drug-Free Stephens and HealtHIE Georgia to Address Social Health Needs (6/27) – Unite Us is partnering with HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens, a nonprofit for opioid awareness, and HealtHIE Georgia, a network of rural Georgia hospitals and their physician communities to connect Georgia patients with community-based services, proactively screen patients for social needs, and refer patients to social care providers.

Pittsburgh Business Times: Widening the Lens: Addressing the Social Determinants of Health (7/6) - This first installment in the Bridge to Equity series explores the social determinants of health — what’s being done to ensure underserved populations are getting access to the services they need and what still needs to happen to move the needle further, highlighting UPMC’s work in the Pittsburgh area. A related interview with UPMC Health Plan’s President and CEO, Diane Holder, may be found here.

Legislative Roundup 

Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act (6/23) – Rep. Goldman (D-NY) and Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Strengthening Medicaid Benefits for Serious Mental Illness Act (H.R. 4331), which would increase Medicaid funding for states that provide intensive community-based services for adults with serious mental illness.

Summer Meals Reaching Every Area’s Hunger (Summer Meals REACH) Act (6/23) – Rep. Kim (D-NY) reintroduced the Summer Meals Reaching Every Area’s Hunger Act (H.R. 4375) to expand access to nutrition assistance through permanent flexibilities in the Summer Food Service Program.

Stop Child Hunger Act of 2023 (6/27) – Reps. Levin (D-CA) and Hayes (D-CT) reintroduced the Stop Child Hunger Act of 2023 (H.R. 4379), which aims to provide families who have children eligible for free and reduced-price school meals with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card when school is not in session.

Housing Navigators Act (6/27) – Reps. Schiff (D-CA) and Jacobs (D-CA) introduced the Housing Navigators Act (H.R. 4390), which would create a new program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Housing Counseling to provide direct housing counseling for renters and people experiencing homelessness, as well as connect them with critical services and housing placement opportunities.

Reentry Resource Guide Act (6/28) – Rep. Cleaver (D-MO) introduced the Reentry Resource Guide Act (H.R. 4404), which would authorize a federal grant program to assist states in developing, expanding, and maintaining a reentry resource guide that details information and contacts of statewide resources and organizations dedicated to assisting recently incarcerated individuals.

To view a full list of the legislation we are tracking around social determinants of health, health equity/disparities, and maternal health in the 118^th Congress, click here. 

Administration Updates

NIH: Biden-Harris Administration Launches Initiative to Improve Cancer Outcomes in Low-Income Areas (6/26) – The National Cancer Institute awarded $50 million to launch the Persistent Poverty Initiative, an initiative to alleviate the cumulative effects of persistent poverty on cancer outcomes by building research capacity, fostering cancer prevention research, and promoting the implementation of community-based programs.

NIH: Item of Interest: NICHD-Developed Guide Sets Framework to Link Maternal, Infant Health Data (6/26) – NIH announced the release of the Maternal & Infant Health Information for Research Implementation Guide, which is intended to enable researchers, developers and others to capture, aggregate, and analyze data from different electronic health records (EHR) systems in support of critical public health research.

CMS: Calendar Year 2024 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Proposed Rule (6/26) – As part of its CY2024 ESRD PPS proposed rule, CMS proposes to add a Facility Commitment to Health Equity reporting measure to the ESRD Quality Incentive Program measure set beginning with performance year 2026.

CMS: Update: Enhancing Oncology Model Fact Sheet (6/27) – CMS released a fact sheet on the new Enhancing Oncology Model, which began on July 1, and which includes a focus on improving health equity, including by requiring participating oncology practices to screen for health-related social needs, among other efforts.

HHS: HHS Releases Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults (6/27) – HHS released a new report showcasing evidence-based interventions to support physical activity among adults ages 65 and older, with the goal of helping to prevent or manage chronic disease.

HHS: South Dakota Expands Medicaid Bringing Health Coverage to More than 52,000 State Residents (6/30) –South Dakota’s Medicaid expansion went into effect on July 1, providing access to coverage for more than 52,000 state residents.

CMS: Calendar Year 2023 Home Health Prospective Payment System (PPS) Proposed Rule (6/30) – In its CY2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule, CMS notes that while it intends to advance health equity as part of its Home Health Value Based Payment Model, it will continue take input from home health stakeholders, and to study the effects of the expanded Model on health equity outcomes before incorporating any additional health equity changes to the expanded Model.

CMS: Update to CMS Office of Minority Health Leadership (7/6) – On July 1, Dr. Aditi Mallick became the Acting Director of the CMS Office of Minority Health, succeeding Dr. LaShawn McIver.

SDoH & Health Equity in the News

American Heart Association: $20 million awarded for scientific research to address health challenges in rural areas (6/23) – The American Heart Association is funding a new $20 million scientific research initiative comprised of a network of special projects focused on advancing the understanding of factors impacting health in rural America.

American Academy of Family Physicians: Family Physicians Are Part of the Solution to Maternal Mortality (6/23) – The president of American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) emphasized that Black women are significantly more likely to die of preeclampsia than White women. He concluded that maternal care, including fourth-trimester care, is part of the continuous, person-centered, care that family physicians deliver.

Stat: CMS change could slow the crucial growth of ‘food as medicine’ (6/27) – An opinion piece from the chief program officer of About Fresh argues that CMS’s recent guidance on in-lieu-of-services (ILOS) limits patient enrollment in food-as-medicine programs.

The Joint Commission: Pre-Application for Health Care Equity Certification (7/1) - Effective July 1, 2023, The Joint Commission (TJC) began accepting applications from eligible hospitals and hospital systems for its Health Care Equity (HCE) Certification program.

Pharmacy Times: Community Pharmacists Can Better Understand, Implement Social Determinants of Health (7/5) - In a webinar titled “Breaking Barriers: Improving Health Outcomes through SDOH Screening in Community Pharmacies,” three expert panelists discussed the use of SDOH in community pharmacy practice, with a focus on screenings and referrals.

 New Research and Reports

Health Affairs: Private Sector Companies Must Partner With Communities To Advance Health Equity (6/27) – The authors emphasize the importance of private sector companies partnering with communities to advance health equity. It highlights the need for collaborative efforts between businesses and community organizations to address SDOH, reduce health disparities, and promote equitable access to health care services.

Health Affairs: Minority-Owned Business Enterprises: Transforming Health Care And Advancing Health Equity (6/28) - The article discusses the transformative potential of minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs) in the health care sector. It highlights how MBEs are driving innovation, promoting health equity, and advancing the delivery of culturally competent care. The article emphasizes the importance of supporting and partnering with MBEs to create a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system that meets the diverse needs of minority populations.

Frontiers in Public Health: Filling the gaps: A community case study in using an interprofessional approach and community-academic partnerships to address COVID-19-related inequities (6/29) - The interdisciplinary and interprofessional successes demonstrated in this case study lends the example of a relevant, sustainable, and practical intervention to address nuanced public health issues.

Health Affairs: Private Capital Is A Key Component To Improving Health Equity (6/29) - The article emphasizes that private capital plays a crucial role in addressing health equity issues. It argues that by attracting private investments, health care systems can enhance access, affordability, and quality of care, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for underserved populations.

Health Affairs: Health Policy Brief: Energy Insecurity And Health (6/29) – This article touches on the hidden hardship of energy insecurity in the United States and its impact on health. Authors explain how households facing energy insecurity often face adverse health outcomes such as respiratory problems, mental health issues, and compromised access to medical care. The article calls for comprehensive policies and interventions to address energy insecurity as a key SDOH and reduce its negative consequences on vulnerable populations.

American Journal of Psychiatry: Recent Advances on Social Determinants of Mental Health: Looking Fast Forward (7/1) – Authors deduced that over time, SDOH theories and frameworks have been expended to include more social factors, though gaps remain despite efforts to mitigate the issue.

Springer: Towards a Systemic Understanding of Equitable Sustainability in Cities: A Conceptual Framework (7/1) – This article reviews a novel conceptual framework that aims to offer a systemic understanding of what local governments can realistically do to achieve more equitable and sustainable outcomes in urban environments. Researchers discuss some of the main processes, relations and dynamics at play, placing particular emphasis on the role of political determinants.

JAMA: Trends in State-Level Maternal Mortality by Racial and Ethnic Group in the United States (7/3) – Researchers found that Median state maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) for the American Indian and Alaska Native and Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander populations continue to increase, even after the adoption of a pregnancy checkbox on death certificates.

Health Affairs: CMS Hospital Value-Based Programs: Refinements Are Needed To Reduce Health Disparities And Improve Outcomes (7/5) – Under a contract with the Federal of American Hospitals from Project HOPE, researchers analyzed value-based program penalty results for various groups of hospitals across these three programs and assessed the impact of patient and community health equity risk factors on hospital penalties.

Health Affairs: Pay For What Matters To Patients: A Whole Health Population-Based Payment Approach (7/5) – Authors suggested that as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center (CMMI) explores new models to address social risks, it should pilot a value-based payment (VBP) model that combines both health care and safety-net resources, and validate a robust health measurement tool that effectively assesses a risk-bearing entity’s ability to improve whole health.

Upcoming Events

Aligning for Health & Member Events

• July 19 – Center for American Progress, “Health Equity in Early Childhood Policy.” Virtual.
  
• July 12 – Vizient, ‘’Beyond the Four Walls: How Hospitals are Addressing Social Determinants of Health.” Join Vizient for a policy briefing to explore hospitals’ efforts to address social determinants of health and improve health disparities. Featuring remarks from Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Dwight Evans (D-PA). Event is in person, 2:00pm, 2060 Rayburn House Office Building. RSVP by July 7, 2023 to Daniel Lubertazzi, Daniel.Lubertazzi@vizientinc.com 
  
• July 13 – Pittsburgh Business Times, “Bridge to Equity: Social Determinants of Health.” This event will break down walls and discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Pittsburgh region, featuring Aligning for Health member UPMC Health Plan.
• July 15 – findhelp, “An information session on Florida Medicaid's Approach to SDOH.” The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration is taking a unique approach to addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) for Floridians. Join Aligning for Health member findhelp for this webinar as we share new requirements and opportunities for Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to foster partnerships new partnerships through Medicaid.
• December 4-6 – RISE and Aligning for Health, “Social Determinants of Health Policy Forum.” Aligning for Health is thrilled to be partnering with RISE for the Second Annual Social Determinants of Health Policy Forum this December, where we will convene leading policymakers with cross-sector practitioners to identify opportunities and advance policies that support stronger communities, better health, and solutions to address health and social needs.

Other Events

• August 7-11 – National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, “Health Disparities Research Institute.” Bethesda, MD.
• August 23 – Systems for Action, Changes in Capacity to Absorb Clinical-to-Community Referrals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Virtual
• September 7 – Social Current, “Health Equity Series: Screening for Social Needs and the Social Determinants of Health – Session 3 – Health Access for Special Populations.” Virtual.

• September 14-15 – Physicians for a Healthy California, “Health Equity Leadership Summit.” San Jose, CA

SDoH Opportunities

July - October

• Deadline: July 7 – NIMHD, Funding Opportunity: Community Level Interventions to Improve Minority Health and Reduce Health Disparities
  

• Deadline: July 11 – CDC, Notice of Funding Opportunity: Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans

• Deadline: July 12 – CMS, Notice of Funding Opportunity: 2023 Minority Research Grant Program

• Deadline: July 18 – HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Grant Opportunity: Healthy Families Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative

• Deadline: July 24 – FDA, Request for Information: Food Labeling in Online Grocery Shopping

• Deadline: July 31 – SIREN, Request for Applications: SIREN Engagement Grants

• Deadline: August 10 – National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Funding Opportunity: Community-Level Interventions to Improve Minority Health and Reduce Health Disparities
• Deadline: August 15 – CMS Office of Minority Health, Health Equity Data Access Program Funding Opportunity
• Deadline: September 6 – NIH, Funding Opportunity: Innovations for Healthy Living – Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities
  

• Deadline: September 19 – NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Funding Opportunity: Pilot Interventions to Integrate Social Care and Medical Care to Improve Health Equity

• Deadline: October 19 – NIH, Funding Opportunity: Pilot Interventions to Integrate Social Care and Medical Care to Improve Health Equity

Rolling Basis 

• Deadline: June 6, 2026 – National Institutes of Health, Notice of Special Interest: Addressing Health Disparities Among Immigrant Populations Through Effective Interventions

• Deadline: June 6, 2026 – National Institutes of Health, Notice of Special Interest: Addressing the Etiology of Health Disparities and Health Advantages Among Immigrant Populations
• Deadline: Open – HRSA, Request for Nominations: Membership to Serve on the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health

• Deadline: Open – U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, Request for Applications: Creating Space Scholarship

• Deadline: Open - House Committee on Rules, Request for Stories: Experiences, Research, and Solutions to Guide Committee Work in Addressing Hunger

• Deadline: Open - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Open Call for Proposals - Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity

• Deadline: Open - Sepsis Alliance, Pledge for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion In the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance, Sepsis and its Underlying Causes

• Deadline: Open - Arnold Ventures Advancing Medicare & Medicaid Integration initiative, Funding Opportunity: Technical Assistance to Advance Medicare and Medicaid Integration for Dual-Eligible Individuals.

• Deadline: Open - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Evidence for Action: Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health.

• Deadline: Open - American Hospital Association, Hospital Community Collaborative National Cohort Application.

• Deadline: Open - The de Beaumont Foundation and Johns Hopkins University, Stories of Alignment: Share a reflection related to the “Seven Ways Business Can Align with Public Health for Bold Action and Innovation” report

• Deadline: Open – NIH, Notice of Special Interest: Health Care Models for Persons with Multiple Chronic Conditions from Populations that Experience Health Disparities: Advancing Health Care towards Health Equity