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In 2017, DHS, in cooperation with the City of Philadelphia, area hospitals, universities, and community stakeholders, developed a North Philadelphia HEZ initiative to identify and reduce barriers to health care, improve health outcomes for North Philadelphia residents, and foster collaboration among the many varied healthcare providers, organizations, and community members in North Philadelphia. DHS established seven objectives for the HEZ initiative: 1. Reduce barriers to care for super utilizers of health care services. 2. Increase access to high-quality care through community-based professionals. 3. Develop a culturally competent, community-based workforce to address social determinants of health. 4. Deploy innovative strategies and technology. 5. Improve coordination of care between physical and behavioral health. 6. Reduce redundancy and improve efficiency through integration and rebalancing of health care resources. 7. Invest in infrastructure and incentives for long-term success and stability. The communities most vulnerable to health disparities face tremendous barriers to quality health care. These barriers can be described by the social and environmental determinants of health, or the conditions that contribute to an individual’s state of health. As a result, individuals often feel that a gap exists between provider recommendations for healthy living and their ability to carry out the recommendations. CHWs have been identified as playing crucial roles in reducing inequities in access to essential health care services, particularly for underserved, vulnerable populations. CHW is an umbrella term for community-based workers that assist in bridging the gaps between providers and individuals. CHWs come from similar neighborhoods and are able to provide support in navigating the health system, social support, and health advocacy for their neighbors. Trained by medical and public health professionals, CHWs have been proven to make healthy behaviors and health care more accessible and ultimately help individuals live better and healthier lives.
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