Introducing
Data for Better Health®
Better health and improved health equity are impacted by factors beyond the care a person receives from their clinician. Those factors, such as food insecurity, housing status, and transportation needs, are referred to as social determinants of health (SDOH), which significantly affect quality of life, health, and healthcare outcomes.
When SDOH data is appropriately collected, used, and securely shared, the entire healthcare team can gain insight into various elements that make up a person’s medical and non-medical story, allowing them to collaborate on improving an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.
It’s About Improving Health Outcomes
Only 20% of our health is related to access to care and quality of health care services. The remaining 80% percent is determined by societal factors — including an individual’s physical environment; socioeconomic factors like education or job status; or health behaviors such as diet and exercise.
These societal factors are often referred to as social determinants of health (SDOH) or social drivers of health.
A growing body of evidence suggests social determinants of health play a substantial role in determining health and healthcare outcomes.
The Data for Better Health initiative, powered by AHIMA®, will provide tools, resources, and education to support a better understanding of the importance of SDOH data and how it can be used to improve health and healthcare outcomes.
About Data for Better Health
Read more about the goals of the initiative and how to receive regular updates.
Report
AHIMA NORC Report: Survey Results on the Collection, Integration, and Use
In 2022, AHIMA tasked NORC with undertaking a comprehensive research survey of AHIMA members
Data for Better Health Issue Brief
Discover the critical role of HI professionals and key lessons learned from healthcare leaders nationwide.
Advocacy Agenda
AHIMA believes that public policy around SDOH must do eight key things to improve health outcomes and advance health equity.
Webinar
Taking on Social Determinants of Health Data in Rural Communities
Learn from leaders at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital and the Indiana Hospital Association who share their journey in collecting using, and sharing social determinants of health in rural communities.
Article
Improving SDOH Collection and Usage: Success Stories from Three Health Systems
With widespread evidence showing the link between overall patient health and social determinants of health (SDOH), organizations across the healthcare spectrum are zeroing in on improving their collection and use of SDOH data. Read more in this Journal of AHIMA article.
Additional Resources
Education & Tools
- Sharing SDOH Data
- Using SDOH Data
- Screening For and Collecting SDOH Data
- Setting the Stage
- Using Science, Data, Trust, and Kindness to Accelerate Health Equity
- Foundations for the Collection, Sharing, and Use of SDOH Data
- UCLA Health System's Journey to Using Social Determinants of Health Data to Improve Outcomes and Health Equity
- Screening for Social Drivers of Health: Lessons from the Field
Engage
AHIMA Announces Launch of Data for Better Health® Initiative
The American Health Information Management Association® (AHIMA) proudly unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, Data for Better Health®, at its annual conference, AHIMA23, in Baltimore, MD.
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