CSaD1 - Factors Influencing Health Equity Among Community Health Center Patients

Since their inception, community health centers have made great strides in reducing the health inequities that affect the Nation’s underserved and marginalized communities. However, Capital Link’s recent data-driven studies on the factors influencing health inequities in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) confirm that specific patient and health center characteristics influence health equity (including access to care and health outcomes) among various sub-populations of patients, often perpetuating systemic racism and health disparities—despite the best intentions of health center staff.

In this session, co-presented with NACHC, Capital Link, Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, and Indiana Primary Care Association, we will review how patient demographics, including level of social deprivation, poverty, and homelessness, race and ethnicity, insurance mix, service offerings, growth rates, and similar factors, relate to health center financial performance, accessibility, quality outcomes, and their ability to respond to evolving public health priorities such as the COVID-19 emergency. By featuring these two states in different parts of the country, we will explore the different health equity challenges in health centers located in urban areas compared to rurally located centers, and how these challenges can translate into state-led action for support. We will also share insight from health center leaders and other industry stakeholders to better understand cultural, capacity, and other barriers to improving health equity. This session will provide informed recommendations, based on our own findings and input from leaders and experts, for how to best address and improve patient equity and inclusion efforts in health centers across the Nation.