Thinking and Insights

The Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2021 Seeks SDoH Innovation through New Grants

The bill would add $25 million for state and local governments to create projects that improve health and social outcomes.

Magnus Crossword #12: Gun Violence and the Social Determinants

Gun violence is a pernicious health equity problem, but policymakers are finding new levers to improve it. Can you solve this week's themed puzzle?

The Social Determinants Take Center Stage on Capitol Hill

The new bipartisan-led Social Determinants of Health Caucus promises to be a hub for federal SDoH strategy and funding. Will it live up to its lofty charter?

Magnus Crossword #11: The Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2021 (SDAA)

The Social Determinants Accelerator Act, which failed to find support in 2019, has 44 cosponsors in the 117th Congress. Can you find the hidden words in this week's SDAA-themed puzzle?

Unemployment and the Long COVID-19 Recovery

American unemployment spiked in 2020 as COVID-19 took hold in the United States. How is the nation recovering?

Magnus Crossword #10: Congressional SDoH Caucus

The Congressional SDoH Caucus launched July 21 with the aim to improve the impact of social determinant services through federal funding. Can you complete this week's caucus-themed puzzle?

Relief Legislation Focuses on Education Access and Equity

How does the American Rescue Plan Act address access and equity in education?

Magnus Crossword #9:

Ready for a challenge?

Greater Access to Care a Central Focus of Relief Legislation

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted access to healthcare coverage, and where does ARPA provide relief?

Magnus Crossword #8: Focus on Access to Care

Ready for a challenge? Try your hand at this week's access-themed puzzle.

Housing Relief a Central Focus of the American Rescue Plan Act

The affordable housing crisis was exacerbated by COVID-19. What provisions does ARPA make to improve housing security among America’s most vulnerable?

Transportation and the American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan Act provides critical investment across the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). What role does transportation play in the relief package?

Magnus Crossword #7: Housing and the American Rescue Plan

Ready for a challenge? Try your hand at this week's housing-themed puzzle.

Hunger and the American Rescue Plan Act

With hunger on the rise in America, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) gives many a reason for hope. How does the bill address hunger and food insecurity specifically?

Magnus Crossword #6: Transportation and the American Rescue Plan

This week's crossword is themed for transportation. Can you find the hidden words?

Investigating President Biden's $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Bill

Public health policy is a key lever for healthcare change. How is the American Rescue Plan expected to change the social determinant landscape?

Magnus Crossword #5: Food Security and the American Rescue Plan

This week's crossword is themed for food security. Can you find the hidden words?

The High Cost of Unmet Social Needs

The social determinants are well understood for their role in health and wellbeing. What do we know about the cost of unmet social needs?

Magnus Crossword #4: American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will deploy tens of billions of dollars in incremental federal spending on the social determinants. Can you solve this ARPA-themed puzzle?

Mental Health, Physical Health and the Social Barriers

Mental health plays an increasingly important role in the social determinant picture. How does member mental health fit into the SDoH framework?

Magnus Crossword #3: Healthcare Costs

This week's crossword is themed for healthcare finance. Can you find the hidden words?

3 Questions for Healthcare Leaders

These are the questions healthcare leaders should consider on the road to improving the social determinants.

Magnus Crossword #2: Mental Health Awareness

The second Magnus crossword is themed for the final full week of mental health awareness month. Can you complete the puzzle?

Food Insecurity and Population Health

Food insecurity is well understood as a social determinant limitation. Who is affected, and how?

Magnus Crossword #1: Tools of the Trade

Bend your mind and test your skill with the inaugural Magnus crossword. Can you find the 5 healthcare analytics tools hidden in the puzzle?

Life After COVID: Short- and Long-term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Social Determinants of Health

What effect has COVID-19 had on the social determinants of health, and what can healthcare organizations do to address evolving limitations among their members?

Member Experience and SDoH

Member experience is rapidly becoming the measuring stick for success not only within CMS Stars but also towards attaining positive population health outcomes.

SDoH Outlook for Pharmacy/Rx

Healthcare organizations play an essential role in an individual's ability to overcome social risk factors impacting medication adherence that helps control chronic conditions, hypertension, and cholesterol.

SDoH Outlook for Chronic Conditions

Food insecurity, housing insecurity, transportation, and overall limited access to care are leading indicators for chronic conditions and diseases, invariably triggering poor health outcomes.

SDoH Impact on HEDIS

Social determinants largely dictate an individual's ability to complete critical screenings and necessary healthcare activities, vital to the success of an organization's HEDIS and Stars ratings.

SDoH and Stars

As CMS Stars continues to grow in both scale and difficulty, so too must health plans and systems display principled agility to keep up with the many growing demands.