The Social Needs Investment Lab: A partnership to provide health equity insights

Three people sitting around a desk looking at the same computer

A person’s health and wellbeing are influenced by numerous individual and community factors, beyond medical care. To improve the health of people and communities, we need to look more holistically at all factors and credibly measure their impact. Using reliable research tools and evidence, we can evaluate which solutions are most likely to drive improvement in overall health and wellbeing.

The Social Needs Investment Lab: A partnership to provide actionable health equity insights is a collaboration between Elevance Health and HealthBegins to provide a diverse array of healthcare stakeholders with actionable insights and tools to make sense of evidence related to health equity and health-related social needs investments.

Healthcare systems, managed care plans, and community-based organizations are increasingly accountable for addressing social drivers of health and reducing health inequities. This collaboration will provide the evidence-based insights necessary to help each stakeholder make informed, impactful and cost-effective investments in solutions to improve the health of the individuals and communities they serve.

What is the Social Needs Investment Lab?

Caretaker helping an elderly man, both sitting at a table

The Social Needs Investment Lab (The Lab) takes a unique approach to improving population health outcomes by providing healthcare and community leaders with evidence-based insights into health equity and social needs investments. The initiative aims to enhance interventions, programs, and solutions that mitigate social, institutional, or structural causes of poorer health outcomes and health disparities at the community or regional levels.

Insights will be publicly shared via an online curated evidence assessment library which will host items such as health-related social needs evidence assessments, case studies, and forums to facilitate dialogue about health equity and social needs investments. The Lab is not just a resource, it’s a catalyst for change.

By providing actionable insights through the Social Needs Investment Lab, the partnership between Elevance Health and HealthBegins equips healthcare and community leaders with the evidence-based tools needed to address social determinants of health and invest in solutions that foster health equity. Together, we are committed to creating healthier lives and stronger communities by integrating health equity into the core of population health strategies.”

Rishi Manchanda

 

– Dr. Rishi Manchanda, CEO, HealthBegins

By providing actionable insights through the Social Needs Investment Lab, the partnership between Elevance Health and HealthBegins equips healthcare and community leaders with the evidence-based tools needed to address social determinants of health and invest in solutions that foster health equity. Together, we are committed to creating healthier lives and stronger communities by integrating health equity into the core of population health strategies.”

Shantanu Agrawal

 

– Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, Chief Health Officer, Elevance Health

Who should use the Social Needs Investment Lab?

Husband, wife, and toddler sitting on the floor of a living room

This collaborative platform is for everyone with an interest in improving individual and community health through collectively addressing the social drivers of health, for example:

  • managed care organizations
  • healthcare systems
  • employers
  • community-based organizations
  • social service providers

 

Coming soon! The Social Needs Investment Lab website will launch in November 2024, featuring a regularly updated Evidence Assessment Library.

Mockup of the investment labs page

The Lab will feature a curated library of research on non-clinical interventions that address health-related social needs and will synthesize health outcome findings. Each assessment will highlight strategies to support populations who are most impacted, such as Medicaid and Medicare enrollees.

Preview two Evidence Assessments now for insights into how social needs interventions can drive better health outcomes!

Woman bringing elderly man a box with vegetables A man tending to a garden

Medically Tailored Meals to Improve Health Outcomes (PDF)

Community Gardens to Reduce Food Insecurity & Improve Health Outcomes (PDF)

In January 2025, we’ll unveil the full site – a comprehensive resource hub that will include tools, case studies, and forums to support addressing health-related social needs and health inequities. Stay tuned!

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Be the first to receive updates on the Social Needs Investment Lab and access additional resources and share your interest in getting involved. Your feedback helps us tailor our resources to meet your needs.

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