Community Outreach at Spectrum

Kenneth J. Fawcett, Jr, MD, VP Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.  Spectrum Health’s Healthier Communities offers community outreach to vulnerable populations to improve health and reduce health disparities.  Infant mortality and adverse birth outcomes have been reduced by 50%; enhanced educational outcomes are supported through virtual health delivery augmenting onsite behavioral health, medical and dental services; and wellness and chronic disease programming has improved health outcomes and patient engagement while reducing the total cost of care.  Dr. Fawcett discusses the use of a social impact bond structure to create a sustainable funding structure for community health programs.  He also discusses the importance of outcomes, and not simply outputs, as success markers and collaboration of community partnerships, along with a novel (and scalable) solution to address food insecurity and its impact on health.