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Many people face health challenges due to unmet social needs, such as food insecurity, unstable housing, or lack of transportation. These social factors, or health-related social needs, can reduce a person’s wellbeing, and make it difficult to manage chronic conditions, recover from illness or maintain overall good health. Rural and urban hospitals and health systems stand at the forefront of advancing health equity and carry the heavy responsibility of treating illness while promoting wellness and reducing disparities in health outcomes of their communities.
To effectively fulfill the role of convenor, healthcare organizations (HCO) like hospitals and health systems must foster internal cultural shifts that prioritize diversity, inclusivity, and equity (DEI) while simultaneously building intentional external partnerships with community-based organizations (CBO). This dual approach of institutional internal cultural evolution and strategic community collaboration can drive impactful systemic change for individuals and communities. By aligning their internal values and practices with the needs and strengths of the populations they serve, HCOs and their care providers can become catalysts for health equity, ensuring that all individuals have full and equal access to opportunities that enable them to lead healthy lives.