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СѼƵ Announces Launch of Data for Better Health™ Initiative

CHICAGO – October 9, 2023 – Today, the proudly unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, , at its annual conference, СѼƵ23, in Baltimore, MD.

The Data for Better Health initiative is poised to revolutionize the healthcare landscape by enhancing awareness of the transformative potential of social determinants of health (SDOH) data to improve health outcomes. This СѼƵ initiative will empower healthcare professionals working with SDOH data, thought leaders, policymakers, and the public with the knowledge and resources necessary to harness SDOH data to improve individual and community health.

According to the , only 20 percent of our health is related to access to care and quality of healthcare service. 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.

The goals of the СѼƵ Data for Better Health initiative include:

  • Engaging healthcare professionals working with SDOH to understand the business case for collecting, using, and sharing SDOH data and to offer strategies for success.
  • Educating and engaging with consumers to build trust and a greater understanding of SDOH and the benefits of sharing SDOH information with healthcare professionals.
  • Advancing policy and advocacy among policymakers by developing and promoting a data-driven SDOH advocacy agenda.
  • Supporting innovation within the healthcare ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of best practices and new models.

СѼƵ, as the preeminent authority in health information (HI), assumes the mantle of leadership in this pivotal endeavor. HI professionals are central to accelerating the collection, utilization, and sharing of SDOH data.

Earlier this year, СѼƵ commissioned a comprehensive study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago to gain insights into the real-world challenges surrounding collecting, utilizing, and sharing SDOH data. The study's key findings were revealing:

  • A lack of standardization and integration of SDOH data into an individual's medical record, even when the data is collected within the organization.
  • Insufficient training and education on capturing, collecting, coding, and utilizing SDOH data.
  • Limited use of SDOH data for communication between healthcare providers and community-based referral organizations.

“To truly enhance health outcomes, СѼƵ is committed to driving change within the healthcare industry, engaging consumers, shaping policy, and accelerating the use of SDOH data,” said СѼƵ Board President/Chair Jennifer Mueller, MBA, RHIA, SHIMSS, FACHE, FСѼƵ. “Our organization is committed to leading this transformative change nationally while our members act within their organizations and communities.”

The timing of this initiative could not be more critical. The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a stark spotlight on healthcare disparities, and payers are increasingly integrating health equity into value-based payment models. The federal government has signaled a heightened interest in assessing the field's progress toward improving health equity. This presents an opportunity for СѼƵ to drive meaningful action and shape policy.

СѼƵ aims to influence standards, share best practices, foster stakeholder collaboration, and advocate for a shared goal: effectively enhancing health outcomes and equity for all.

Learn more at and view the .

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About СѼƵ

СѼƵ is a global nonprofit association of health information (HI) professionals with more than 67,000 members and more than 100,000 credentials in the field. The СѼƵ mission of empowering people to impact health® drives our members and credentialed HI professionals to ensure that health information is accurate, complete, and available to patients and providers. Our leaders work at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business and are found in data integrity and information privacy job functions worldwide.

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Please email us at СѼƵmedia@СѼƵ.org. for media related inquires.

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