NASEM releases report on social needs care integration

Health systems are paying increased attention to social factors such as access to housing, food and transportation, which can have a profound influence on people’s health. Last week, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a report examining the potential for integrating social care services into health care settings. The report identified three essential components for successful integration: an appropriately staffed and trained workforce, health information technology innovations and new financing models. The report made recommendations for strengthening the provision of social care in the health care sector. These included developing a digital infrastructure with interoperability between health care and social care organizations; defining which social services Medicaid will cover; and funding research into effective implementation strategies. (NASEM report, 9/25/19)