Memorial Hermann connects clinical care and community resources to improve care

An American Hospital Association podcast explores how Memorial Hermann Health System creates seamless connections between clinical care and community resources to help patients overcome barriers, including food insecurity, housing instability and chronic disease.  The Houston-based health system seeks to address hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and maternal and infant health-related conditions based on results from its community health needs assessment and conversations with nonprofit and public health leaders. Memorial Hermann screens patients who enter its hospitals for social needs, and community health workers connect them to needed services. The system also offers neighborhood clinics for uninsured and Medicaid patients offering primary and specialty care, in-house food pantries and workforce development programs for unemployed individuals.