RISE looks at recent headlines concerning social determinants of health (SDoH).
HHS announces funding, initiatives to address maternal health crisis, behavioral health, and more
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week several initiatives to address issues related to the maternal health crisis, behavioral health, and the child welfare system. The announcements include:
- $103M in funding, new initiatives to address maternal health crisis
As part of the HHS Maternal Health Day of Action, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has announced several new actions to address the nation’s longstanding maternal health crisis, including new funding, a federal task force, and a national public education campaign.
“Our nation is facing a maternal mortality crisis. Women in our nation are dying from pregnancy-related causes before, during, and after childbirth at a higher rate than any other developed nation,” said Vice President Kamala Harris in a statement. “I directed our government agencies to come up with deliberate and tangible plans to address the maternal health crisis in this country. Today’s announcement of additional strategic investments to address the maternal health crisis demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of all women and their families.”
The agency is awarding more than $103 million to improve access to maternal health. Nearly $90 million of the total investment will go to various Health Resources and Services Administration programs to support efforts such as maternal health care workforce; disproportionate rates of severe maternal morbidity; and screening and treatment for maternal depression and other mental health and substance use disorders.
The remaining $13 million will be awarded to 11 organizations to support innovative models for the integration of community-based maternal support services (COMMS). The funding targets longstanding health disparities among pregnant and post-partum women, particularly women of color. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are three and two times more likely, respectively, to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to white women. Hispanic women also experience higher rates of severe maternal morbidity compared to white women.
The COMMS efforts address SDoH among pregnant and post-partum women, such as health literacy; pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting education; cultural and linguistic diversity; exposure to trauma; housing; food; and transportation.
- $230M for suicide prevention, behavioral health in at-risk communities
HHS, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has also recently awarded $232.2 million in grant funding towards suicide prevention and behavioral health care for at-risk communities. The funding includes more than $200 million in new funding for states, territories, and Tribal nations and organizations to establish local capacity for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and related services.
“September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. During this month, we are reminded that suicide is preventable, and no one should go through a suicide-related crisis alone,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in the announcement. “The Biden-Harris Administration is deeply committed to tackling the mental health challenges facing America, and particularly focused on addressing the alarming rates of suicide.”
SAMHSA’s 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 4.8 percent of adults ages 18 or older–about 12.3 million people–had serious thoughts of suicide, and 12.7 percent of adolescents ages 12 to 17–about 3.3 million–had serious thoughts of suicide.
- “Historic” child welfare package to improve equity
HHS, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has released three new rules that will have “profound” impact on child welfare in America. The three regulations will do the following:
- Support kinship caregivers: The regulation will allow a child welfare agency to adopt simpler licensing or approval standards for all kin foster family homes. It will also require states to provide kinship caregivers with the same level of financial assistance as any other foster care provider. The regulation will also make it easier for kin to become licensed or approved foster caregivers.
- Protect LGBTQI+ youth in foster care: The proposed rule would require child welfare agencies ensure each child in their care who identifies as LGBTQI+ receive a safe and appropriate placement, free of hostility, mistreatment, or abuse based on the child’s LGBTQI+ status. It would also require that caregivers for LGBTQI+ children are fully trained to provide for the needs of the child related to the child’s self-identified sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
- Expand access to legal representation for children and families in the child welfare system: The proposed rule would expand access to legal representation for children in foster care, parents, and kinship caregivers by allowing child welfare agencies to use federal funds to provide legal services.
Cigna invests $1M to address food insecurity
Cigna Healthcare has announced that it will invest $1 million this fall to national and community-based organizations to address food insecurity among older Americans. According to Cigna, the investment is expected to provide more than three million meals to those in need, increase access to 1.88 million pounds of fresh produce, and save 21 million gallons of water and 2.89 tons of CO2e emissions in responsible food distribution.
The funds were awarded to 56 programs across 12 states, ranging from local Meals on Wheels chapters and food banks to senior- and veteran-focused coalitions and centers. The funding will also go toward food- and nutrition-based programs, such as food pantries, mobile food deliveries, and nutritional meal boxes.
"Too many people in our country, including older adults, face challenges with food insecurity, which can lead to worsening health and vitality," said J.B. Sobel, M.D., chief medical officer for Cigna Healthcare's Medicare business, in a statement. "Older adults are more likely to have various health conditions requiring specific diets to maintain and improve their health. Regular, reliable, healthy food can improve the health and vitality of those we serve, and we are committed to giving each person the opportunity to live well."
NIH launches community-led research program on SDoH
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced that it is funding a “first-of-its-kind” community-led research program to examine SDoH and determine ways to better address social needs to improve health outcomes.
Through the NIH Common Fund Community Partnerships to Advance Science for Society (ComPASS) program, NIH awarded 26 community-based organizations and a coordinating center, totaling $171 million over five years, to research sustainable solutions that promote health equity for lasting change.
"The ComPASS research model harnesses diverse perspectives and expertise to examine systemic factors that impact the health of individuals, communities, and populations," said NIH Acting Director Lawrence Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., in the announcement. “We are excited to see how results from these awards exemplify the transformative power of community-driven research."
The research projects will explore SDoH-related issues such as economic development, social and community context, neighborhood characteristics, health care access and quality, and nutrition and food environment.