Top Rural Health Equity Initiative Launched
One of the nation’s leading integrated health systems serving rural America, Marshfield Clinic Health System, has banded together with multi-sided community referral platform NowPow, launching one of the country’s largest rural health equity initiatives Monday.
Along with the common social determinants of health like employment, education, financial situation and child care, the partnership will screen patients and community members in Wisconsin for what the release described as “five core health-related social needs – housing, food, transportation, utilities and personal safety.” The NowPow community referral platform will then connect those screened with community-based resources that will help them tackle these social needs, furthering Marshfield’s “accountable health care model” and allowing them to track the progress of these referrals and “fulfill their self-care goals.”
“The pandemic made more obvious than ever the pervasive inequities that still define life for far too many Americans,” said Dr. Susan Turney, CEO of Marshfield Clinic Health System. “We are proud to be part of a paradigm shift that recognizes a person’s health for the complex picture it is, and works to address the structural inequities and socioeconomic factors that affect it. It is a privilege to partner with NowPow on this work to connect patients and families with needed resources so they can attain their full health potential.”
“Americans living in rural areas face a number of risk factors for health disparities, including geographic isolation, limited access to health care specialists and limited job opportunities. We are excited to partner with Marshfield Clinic Health System to address these issues and improve more lives in rural Wisconsin, while also deepening our impact across the state,” said NowPow CEO Rachel Kohler.
By teaming up with Wisconsin’s largest private medical research institute, Chicago-based NowPow will be able to map the areas where these health-related social needs remain underserved or unmet. The tech company’s referral networks serve the entire U.S.
