New United Hospital Fund Report Identifies NYC Neighborhoods Where Medicaid Might Better Support Members’ Health by Addressing Housing Insecurity
Neighborhoods where insecure housing overlaps with higher rates of emergency department use may be promising areas for interventions under Medicaid value-based payment.
In a report released today, United Hospital Fund (UHF) identifies neighborhoods throughout New York City where Medicaid might improve access to health care, and health outcomes, for thousands of its members by moving beyond medical care to address their need for safe, secure housing.
There is increasing awareness that economic and environmental factors such as poverty, inadequate nutrition, and exposure to violence—often called social determinants of health—can have a greater impact on health outcomes than medical treatments. Stable housing is a key social determinant, and research consistently shows that insecure housing and homelessness correlate with higher rates of emergency department (ED) use, more frequent hospital admissions, and adverse health outcomes....