A framework is required to advance a culture of health and change how health-related data is collected and used, according to a paper in eGEMs (Generating Evidence & Methods to improve patient outcomes).
Currently, data systems in healthcare do not sufficiently include population health information or community data, author Alonzo L. Plough, vice president for research and evaluation and chief science officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, writes. Data, he says, must be able to "reflect the increasing recognition that all aspects of people's lives--their work, families, and communities and not just formal health and healthcare services--support active and healthy living."
To that end, Plough outlines four action areas needed to create a framework to promote a Culture of Health (COH). The framework will also help guide the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's work.
RWJF recently set its sights on improving healthcare through data and information. In October, it announced a new initiative, Data for Health, to look at how information and data on heath can be used to help people live healthier lifestyles. That initiative involved listening sessions with consumer input. Some of what came out of those sessions include that consumers need guidance and tools that link data to help them make better health decisions.
The action areas outlined in Plough's paper include:
- A shared value of health: This requires collection of data that will help individuals to see health as a priority and feel that they are part of the effort to improve health. That effort will include collecting data on whether patients feel they have an active role in their care and whether they feel their health is dependent upon health in their community.
- Collaboration to improve well-being: Data is needed to understand how to improve "connections of traditional health delivery settings with the community settings that influence residents' health," Plough writes, which include schools, businesses and neighborhoods. That data can be gleaned from studies on hospital partnerships with public health agencies, payers and more.
- More equitable community environments: This area requires data that helps create an understanding of what leads to health inequality. In addition, information is needed on what policies and practices lead to healthy environments across communities, according to Plough
- Transforming health and healthcare systems: To track the integration of healthcare, public health services and systems, more data is needed. This will allow for improvement in access to quality care, and reduce barriers to care, Plough writes.
"The action framework for advancing a COH will guide the RWJF's grant making and strategic collaborations," he says. "We hope it will also catalyze changes in how researchers and organizations collect health-related data at all levels."
To learn more:
- read the paper (.pdf)