Factors outside the health care system — housing and food insecurity, lack of employment and transportation, and social isolation — significantly impact people’s health. Recognizing this, health care entities and policymakers are investing in interventions to address patients’ social needs. What does the evidence say about the effectiveness of these programs? How can research inform policy and decision-making? To explore these questions, last fall, the Better Care Playbook, in partnership with the Camden Coalition and UPMC Health Plan, co-hosted a symposium , Social Needs in Healthcare

Provides valuable insights into implementation models and tools designed to support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

The Better Care Playbook spoke with Elder Angela Overton, Senior Advisor and Director of Faith Community Partnerships at the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, to discuss the Louisville Community Model of Care Project.

Highlights recent findings on the effectiveness of medically tailored meals and the impacts these programs have on hospitalizations, patient costs, and clinical outcomes, and also outlines implementation considerations.

State policymakers can use this resource roundup to understand emerging best practices for member engagement, with a focus on adults with complex needs.

Offers insight into the evidence base on carving-in behavioral health care into managed care and considerations for states interested in implementing this approach.

Explores evidence on the effectiveness of medical respite care and the impacts this approach has on patient outcomes, hospital visits, and costs.

Highlights how community HUBs support community health workers in addressing individuals’ health and social needs through a standardized approach and outcomes-based payment to foster community-level change.

Sharon Bean and Ernest Egu, MD, discuss their corrections-health partnership that has reduced the risk of overdose among people leaving jail by offering medication for addiction treatment.

Colleen McGregor and Kurt Sheppard from Banner University Health Plan discuss how the plan has promoted and sustained member and community engagement through their member advisory councils and committees.

Breaks down CMS’ new payment model for comprehensive dementia care, explores the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model, and highlights resources available to help GUIDE providers succeed.

Understand the implications of a recent federal rule designed to enhance care coordination for people with substance use disorder by allowing greater information-sharing among providers.

Kathryn Jantz from HealthBegins, discusses how health care organizations and community-based organizations can use an return on investment calculator to support partnerships that address patients’ health-related social needs.

Profiles the Serious Illness Care Program, a model that supports providers in having proactive, emotionally safe conversations with seriously ill patients about their values and goals, to better guide end-of-life care.

Understand emerging evidence around the reimbursement of caregiver training services and explore resources for building successful caregiver training programs.