Altarum Selected to Present at Michigan 2023 Social Determinants of Health Summit

Altarum will participate in two presentations at the virtual 2023 Michigan Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Summit, which will be held January 24–26. The presentations will focus on how new advancement opportunities for direct care workers can improve care and address SDOH and explore the impacts of out-of-school time programming designed to combat food insecurity among Michigan children.

The summit is a direct offshoot of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Social Determinants Strategic Plan. The goal of the strategic plan is to improve the health and social outcomes of all Michiganders while working to achieve health equity by eliminating disparities and barriers to social and economic opportunity. The plan’s current three focus areas include health equity, housing stability, and food security.

Altarum Long Term Care Senior Analyst Stephen McCall will provide an overview of the socioeconomic challenges experienced by older adults and people with disabilities in Michigan. He will also cover a recent Altarum and PHI collaborative study, which highlights the need for career advancement opportunities for home care workers, especially considering the healthcare needs of an aging Michigan population. PHI Vice President of Workforce Innovations Emily Dieppa will then share how the Care Integrations Senior Aide (CISA) role could meet this need in Michigan.

Altarum will co-present with Fran Talsma, chief executive officer of the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs. The presentation will explore how out-of-school programming can combat food insecurity among Michigan children, the impact this programming has on Michigan children and families, and meaningful collaborations that advance community-wide health equity. Altarum’s food and nutrition experts provided evaluation support for the YMCA program.