The country's largest health insurance trade association has launched an initiative to address social barriers to good health. America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) announced the new program called Project Link on June 20, as part of AHIP's 2019 AHIP Institute and Expo in Nashville, Tennessee.

AHIP officials said up 70 percent of an individual's health can be linked to factors other than medical care. Housing, transportation, working conditions, access to nutritious food—all are factors that can have an impact on people's health. Addressing social barriers to health has become a priority for the AHIP board of directors, officials added, and Project Link has been launched as a result.

“We all have a responsibility to create social and physical environments that promote better health for all Americans,” said Matt Eyles, president and CEO of AHIP. “Project Link solves for this disconnect, bringing us together with a collective vision for enhancing quality of life, improve community health, and reduce long term costs.”

Regional efforts already in motion

AHIP's latest effort is just one of many by health care organizations to improve overall health by looking at lifestyle and environmental challenges. The group said insurance plans have already been involved in working on “upstream” health issues—AHIP said 80 percent of health insurance providers currently have programs in place to address social barriers in the communities they serve.

AHIP's website highlights some of those efforts, including:

Kaiser Permanente is renovating an apartment complex in Oakland, California, as part of a $200 million initiative to reduce homelessness.
UCare, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, recently expanded its Health Savings program to help members save up to $200 per month on healthier foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
Centene, a St. Louis, Missouri-based insurer, formed Social Health Bridge, to work with providers, payors, and community groups to improve access to services for lower-income community members.

Coordinating efforts and strategies

AHIP officials say the new initiative will bring together the various efforts underway throughout the country and allow health insurers to compare notes; share findings; and establish new strategies and goals.

As part of Program Link, organizations will create learning collaborative for insurers, a new Project Link Website, and other new partnerships. Officials expect the project to provide valuable data for research into health improvement. In addition, the group said it will use Project Link to develop policy agendas at both the state and federal level.

Read more:

Instant Insights /

Insurers to work together on social barriers to health

More From HR Executive

Related Stories

Recommended For You