Part Three: Converting Food Deserts to Food Swamps is Not Enough for Public Health

Many of us have heard of “food deserts”, where the only food available is unhealthy. There are No grocery stores, or corner markets with fresh fruit and vegetables, only fast food and dried/jarred/preserved foods functional. However, these days, the more significant concern is “food swamps,” where there are healthy food options — but the number… Continue reading Part Three: Converting Food Deserts to Food Swamps is Not Enough for Public Health

Part Two: Food Swamps – Where Healthy Choices are Drowned Out

A food desert is defined by lack of availability; in an area defined as a food desert, there aren’t any options for fresh food. But in a food swamp, there is some fresh food — but the number of unhealthy options drowns it out. In these areas, there may be a supermarket or a farmer’s… Continue reading Part Two: Food Swamps – Where Healthy Choices are Drowned Out

Part One: Food Swamps Predict Obesity Rates Better Than Food Deserts in the United States 

What is a Food Swamp? Food Swamps are areas with a high density of establishments selling high-calorie fast food and junk food, relative to healthier food options.  How to calculate a traditional Food Swamp: Traditional Retail Food Environment Index:  Fast Food/Limited Service Establishment + Convenience Stores Grocery Stores/Supermarkets Food Swamps > Food Deserts: According to… Continue reading Part One: Food Swamps Predict Obesity Rates Better Than Food Deserts in the United States 

Part Four: How Digital Technology Can Enable Health Equity 

Health equity is the state where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.  Now is the time for healthcare organizations and others to seize the moment and work to eliminate health disparities methodically. Recognizing health equity as a strategic imperative health disparities across the US are primarily driven by… Continue reading Part Four: How Digital Technology Can Enable Health Equity 

Part Three: The Power of Local Data in Action 

Health equity is the state where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.  With the Health Equity Equalizer Platform, ACOs across the United States use data from feature-rich sources to more effectively identify and address health equity barriers among its patient populations. Lessons learned will help more ACO leaders… Continue reading Part Three: The Power of Local Data in Action 

Medical Economics: Area Deprivation Index Informs Policy but Misses Mark at Provider Level

From New York’s Upper West Side to Los Angeles’ Compton, the reputation of some neighborhoods and the patients who live there precedes them. Family income, level of education, employment status and opportunities, and housing quality (or lack thereof) can all impact the socioeconomic ecosystem of neighborhoods. However, quantifying and even classifying the risk level of… Continue reading Medical Economics: Area Deprivation Index Informs Policy but Misses Mark at Provider Level

Health Equity Advantages of Dynamic Platforms 

With the push for health equity solutions that work, risk-bearing organizations may be left wondering what will function best for them, especially with new regulations this year. Considering social determinants of health (SDoH) as a key component to successfully address health equity is becoming more accepted – even expected – since SDoH contribute significantly to… Continue reading Health Equity Advantages of Dynamic Platforms 

Part 2: Using Data to Advance Health Equity in Your Community 

Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Data, compiled and analyzed with health equity at the top of the agenda, are important for identifying problems, allocating resources, and targeting interventions for those who most need them.  But data also have pitfalls and… Continue reading Part 2: Using Data to Advance Health Equity in Your Community 

The Top 3 Healthcare Trends for 2023 and the Innovators Driving Them 

By: Kristin Peixotto on RH Strategic https://rhstrategic.com/blog/top-3-healthcare-trends-2023-innovators-driving-them/ New approaches, technologies and collaborations are redefining how the healthcare industry provides care. The players to watch are focused on mental health, artificial intelligence, and health equity. As they concentrate on their individual strategies, they share aspirational goals to improve healthcare outcomes, cost and access. Here’s who to… Continue reading The Top 3 Healthcare Trends for 2023 and the Innovators Driving Them 

Health Equity Deadline Quickly Approaching 

With deadlines now pushed to April 28, 2023, risk-bearing organizations have a couple weeks to make sure they are not only set up to comply, but to thrive under the new guidelines for value based care and health equity. However, without direct, specific guidance on how to implement adjustments successfully, some companies may be left… Continue reading Health Equity Deadline Quickly Approaching