LANCASTER, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) recently unveiled a pioneering online tool, PA Navigate, aimed at bridging the gap between individuals and vital community resources. In collaboration with findhelp, a leading resource locator platform, and Community Action Partnership Lancaster, the tool seeks to strengthen the connection between Pennsylvanians and an array of services such as food, shelter, and transportation.
Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the DHS, expressed optimism about the potential of PA Navigate to foster greater synergy between healthcare providers and social service organizations. “Understanding a person’s health goes beyond just physical symptoms. Poverty, unstable housing, and food insecurity are just some of the factors that can impact a person’s overall well-being,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “This tool will allow us to better support individuals by addressing their unique needs holistically.”
Indeed, a myriad of factors, from socioeconomic conditions to environmental influences, play a critical role in shaping our health outcomes. According to the National Academy of Medicine, these social determinants of health, which include income, education, social supports, and physical environment, contribute to up to 90 percent of health outcomes. Yet, the links between healthcare providers and organizations that address these essential needs often remain tenuous.
PA Navigate aims to strengthen these connections by creating a shared platform where healthcare providers and social services organizations can monitor client referrals and better comprehend and respond to a client’s individual needs. This system will allow service providers to assess an individual’s needs during various interactions, from physician’s office visits to emergency department encounters or when seeking assistance from a community-based organization.
In addition to facilitating support, PA Navigate will also gather data to help the Commonwealth and its partners better understand the health and social service needs of Pennsylvanians. This data can identify service gaps and offer insights into how to better support residents across the state. By considering key social determinants of health, including employment, child care, transportation, food security, access to health care, and housing stability, state agencies and local partners can work together to improve long-term health outcomes.
PA Navigate is a collaborative effort involving multiple state agencies, counties, local non-profits, and community organizations, healthcare entities, and social services providers. Participating health information organizations include ClinicalConnect Health Information Exchange, Central PA Connect Health Information Exchange, HealthShare Exchange, and the Keystone Health Information Exchange. In September 2023, findhelp was selected as the platform for PA Navigate.
The launch of PA Navigate represents a significant step forward in Pennsylvania’s efforts to address the social determinants of health and ensure that all residents have access to the essential resources they need. By fostering better collaboration between health care providers and social service organizations, this tool has the potential to make a substantial difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians.
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