Health Policy & News

As health care systems take steps to address social needs, community-based organizations (CBOs) will be key partners. Effective partnerships and contracts between health care organizations and CBOs are an important way to improve the overall health and well-being of the individuals and communities served by each organization.

Data and digital tools can help address the many upstream factors that contribute to illness and poor health care outcomes. Extending the latest data and digital tools to social care partners is key to integrating social care into health care and improving coordination of care across all sectors and services.

The system used to pay for health care today does not encourage integration of health care and social care, nor can it adequately adapt to the trending shift toward value-based payments for care — paying for better quality and better health outcomes. New financing approaches are needed to enable the health care sector to engage in activities that strengthen social care and community resources.

In March 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule to require new health warnings on cigarette packages and in cigarette advertisements. Beginning in June 2021, these new cigarette health warnings will be required to appear prominently. The new warnings show the deadly consequences of smoking and will promote greater understanding of the ways in which smoking harms the human body.

Social workers play an integral part in our nation’s health care system, including how we respond to outbreaks such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Here are resources social workers can use to inform clients about this outbreak and lessen their risk of contracting the disease.

The DynaMed Infectious Disease Editorial Team is continuously monitoring for updates on guidelines and recommendations and this free topic can be a source of trusted information.
 
This topic will open to the public until the end of this public health emergency.