2024 UHF Gala Journal - Flipbook - Page 21
Improving Quality and Equity
Since 2009, we have trained more than 300 mid-career doctors, nurses, and physician assistants —
from more than 50 area hospitals and health care organizations — to become quality improvement
and patient safety leaders in their institutions. More clinicians are being trained annually and their
work is saving lives and improving care.
We are also partnering with nursing homes to improve care. An estimated 50 percent of nursing
home residents receive nine or more medications, putting them at risk of “medication overload,”
which can lead to dangerous drug interactions, falls, cognitive impairment, and hospitalization.
To address this issue, UHF is spreading best practices and safe “deprescribing” measures.
Building A More Comprehensive and
Equitable System of Care
When working together, clinicians, social service agencies, and community partners can help New
Yorkers live long, healthy, and productive lives. UHF is striving to foster these collaborations to tackle
the social factors that compound illness and compromise health.
The adolescent behavioral health crisis is a call to action for all. UHF is developing prevention-focused
strategies that will begin in childhood and prioritize community initiatives.
Our Pediatric Steps to Literacy Project is helping primary care practices reduce inequities to
ensure at-risk children develop the skills they need for healthy development, school readiness,
and life-long learning.
Our new, 18-month Health Equity Fellowship program is preparing highly motivated clinicians to
work across the health care landscape to advance equity, drive systems transformation, and foster
collaborative leadership.
Expanding Insurance Coverage and Access to Care
New York’s Medicaid program covers nearly 7.5 million low-income New Yorkers, while approximately
1 million remain uninsured. UHF’s Medicaid Institute provides trusted research and analyses to New
York State, helping to develop new programs and spread innovations that can strengthen this critical
safety net.
And our Health Insurance Project is addressing complex issues that stand between New Yorkers and
the affordable, quality health care coverage they need.
