At SSM Health, we’re working to close the health equity gap in our communities and ensure better health for all. Chief Community Health Officer Dr. Alex Garza was honored to join the recent White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, where he and other national experts discussed innovative solutions to address food insecurities and other social determinants of health. SSM Health is proud to be part of this critical conversation.
“This is the first time in 50 years that we, as a country, have organized an effort to address these issues. The previous initiative led to programs like Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the school lunch program, which last year provided vital food assistance for more than 47 million low-income Americans,” Garza said. “Food insecurity, which includes poor access to healthy foods as well as the inability to afford food, significantly contributes to poor health. Working together, we can address that health equity gap in our communities.”
Garza said the conference included learning and action planning, indicating that the federal government intends to address food insecurity as a major issue in the country -- and SSM Health welcomes that pledge.
“Food is medicine,” he said. “We know nutrition plays a major role in health, and in kids doing well in school. This is an issue in rural as well as urban areas. By addressing this fundamental need, we are giving people the opportunity to live their best lives and helping children to achieve their true potential.”
As a provider deeply committed to health equity, SSM Health also joined other health organizations as part of the Sync for Social Needs coalition at the conference. The group is urging the government to create standards in digital interoperability that will enable organizations to work together in achieving health equity for all, especially those most in need. A primary goal is to give physicians and health systems the ability to connect patients and families to community food assistance via their electronic health record.
Coalition members include: The National Quality Forum, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the Joint Commission, HL7 International, Epic, Oracle-Cerner, Rush University System for Health, Tufts Medicine, Riverside Health System, SCAN Health Plan, Sanford Health, SSM Health, Higi, BayCare, Geisinger, Meditech, FindHelp, Wellsky, UniteUs, Graphite Health, Saffron Labs, and XanthosHealth.
“Consistent screening tools and exchange of information are crucial to addressing social determinants of health in our communities,” Garza said. “We need all people to have the same opportunity to develop their skills and talent. They need healthy and affordable foods to do that.”
Click here to learn more about the White House Conference.
