AHA issues community guide to addressing social determinants of health

The AHA today released a one-page guide to help hospital and health system board members and leaders in vulnerable communities implement a multi-step strategy to address the underlying social conditions that often prevent individuals from being able to access health care or achieve health goals. The strategy is one of nine innovative strategies identified last year by the AHA’s Task Force on Ensuring Access in Vulnerable Communities for communities to consider based on their unique needs, support structures and preferences. Today’s guide is the third in a series that will address each of the nine strategies. It also builds on the AHA’s ongoing series of guides on strategic considerations and approaches hospitals can use to improve the environment where people live, work and play. For more information and resources, visit www.aha.org/EnsuringAccess.