AHA report looks at role of health system leaders in improving community health

A new AHA report examines how five diverse health systems are working with stakeholders to improve the health of the communities they serve, offering guidance for governing boards and leaders at other nonprofit health systems committed to improving community health. “America’s health system is changing, with a move from fee-for-volume to fee-for-value,” the authors note. “To deliver on that promise, one powerful option is adopting the ‘Triple Aim’ of increasing the quality and experience of patient care, reducing per capita health care expenditures, and improving the health of America’s population. Pursuing these aims requires not only a continuous focus on improving care for patients, but also paying explicit attention to the health status of our communities. This latter focus will require collaborative, multi-sector efforts that address the full array of factors affecting the health of individuals, families and communities.”