UMass Memorial, other hospitals pledge $700M to address disparities affecting health

Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA)

Acknowledging that social, economic, environmental, and behavioral factors account for 80% of health outcomes a community experiences, a group of hospitals, including UMass Memorial Health Care, is pledging more than $700 million to address the root causes of those issues.

UMass is part of the Healthcare Anchor Network, a group of national and regional health care systems, which made the announcement of the funding commitment Tuesday.

Health care systems are uniquely positioned as leading employers and economic engines in their communities, the Healthcare Anchor Network said in a press release. They can go beyond providing health care by leveraging their resources to address disparities that impact outcomes.

Despite low unemployment and an overall strong economy, disparities in American economic, health, and well-being outcomes are deepening, according to the network. The group cited a recent New York University study showing that in some of the biggest American cities, life expectancy varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. Sometimes, people in one neighborhood can expect to live 20 to 30 years longer on average than people in a neighborhood a few miles away.

The goal of the $700 million among 14 hospitals and health systems is to create sustainable returns for the institutions while using investment capital to tackle social issues that impact health. It will support local and diverse business development, and empower low-income residents to create, manage or own enterprises, according to the Healthcare Anchor Network. The network's system investments include financing for affordable housing development, building grocery stores in food deserts, and investing in child care centers, federally-qualified health centers, and minority- and women-owned business enterprises.

UMass Memorial Health Care CEO Dr. Eric Dickson said in a statement included in the network's announcement that establishing an "anchor mission program" will help patients address issues in a non-clinical setting.

"There are so many variables and hidden barriers converging to negatively impact the health and livelihood of people in our communities that we realized our concerns had to extend beyond the walls of our hospitals," Dr. Dickson said.

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