CMS Launches ‘Playbook’ on Social Determinants of Health
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently published a comprehensive playbook aimed at improving coordination between healthcare, public health, and social services. This 54-page resource outlines the measures that federal agencies are taking to support health by addressing the social circumstances of individuals.
Among these programs are various initiatives by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency. These initiatives aim to align investments to support community infrastructure, provide grants to empower communities in addressing health-related social needs, and promote the coordinated use of resources and data to improve health outcomes.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the interconnected nature of health and social conditions during a recent event, emphasizing the importance of addressing patients’ social conditions in order to holistically improve healthcare and public health. He discussed how access to stable housing, healthy food, and clean air can greatly impact people’s overall health. Secretary Becerra also expressed his belief that focusing on these factors can help ensure equal access to healthcare for all Americans and contribute to improved healthcare outcomes for everyone.
In addition to the playbook, HHS has introduced a call to action aimed at addressing health-related social needs as well as a Medicaid and CHIP health-related social needs framework designed to complement its content.
These resources seek to further support efforts to address social determinants of health and create opportunities for improved healthcare access and outcomes for all Americans.
Overall, this comprehensive approach recognizes that good health is not just about medical care but also about addressing broader societal factors that affect individuals’ wellbeing. By working together across federal agencies, state governments, local communities