OHSU program addresses children’s psychosocial needs

In an American Hospital Association podcast, a pediatric psychiatrist at Oregon Health and Science University discusses how the Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare program transforms care for children with serious medical conditions. Vulnerable children can face complex barriers, including missed school, food and transportation insecurity and housing instability. The program assesses families’ needs and tailors services accordingly. NICH helps families find stable housing, reliable transportation or food they can depend on regularly. Disparities between youth of color and white youth in access to care rates disappeared after two years of participating in NICH. Local foundations often can support hospitals in starting similar programs, and hospitals can collect data to demonstrate improved health outcomes and justify continued funding.