Main Library
In 2024, accountable care organizations (ACOs) will have to demonstrate the efficacy of their health equity plans. Many ACOs have implemented strategies already with this goal in mind. Traditionally, ACOs have had their primary care physicians focus on population health management: addressing broad health trends and risk factors across a patient base. However, an approach that also focuses on personalized solutions offers primary care physicians the opportunity to truly improve patient health outcomes in a measurable way. ACOs can ultimately see the efficacy of such a strategy in both improved patient health outcomes as well as their return on investment (ROI).
Towards this end, risk-bearing organizations and their primary care physicians can shift their outlook on social determinants of health (SDOH) from a population health view to a health barrier perspective approach, which delves into individual-level root causes. When used in conjunction, strategies that address both population health, as well as individual barriers, can really play a key role in improving health outcomes for communities and driving health equity.