Non-clinical risk factors can impact overall health more than the quality of clinical care provided. As such, health care is increasingly extending well beyond care settings—into homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Transforming health outcomes influenced by social determinants of health (e.g., transportation, housing, environmental issues, and access to healthy food) requires a coordinated effort between providers and their local communities.
While partnerships among health systems and other community organizations are the most effective ways to address community health, most organizations are traveling on separate but parallel paths toward building healthier communities. As a result, valuable data, information, and resources are often siloed. Providers must build strategic relationships with community partners that benefits all stakeholders, their target populations, and drive better health outcomes.