The Connecticut Office of Health Strategy and Department of Public Health recently announced that the State Innovation Model (SIM) Healthcare Innovation Steering Committee has approved the Health Enhancement Community (HEC) initiative proposed framework. This blueprint is designed to build or expand collaborations across the state to improve healthy weight and physical fitness, advance child well-being, and strengthen health equity. The HEC initiative will further residents’ health and well-being by addressing both clinical need and the social determinants that impact overall health.
The approval of the framework is a major milestone for the initiative, paving the way for a community-led HEC planning and development process. Health Management Associates (HMA) colleagues worked hand-in-hand with the Connecticut SIM program to define and develop the HEC framework technical report for the initiative, leveraging HMA’s deep expertise and experience working with states to design and implement health reforms.
The proposed framework envisions HECs as formal collaborations that effectively connect community members, healthcare providers, housing and transportation agencies, social services, and others in furtherance of community health and prevention efforts. Each region may employ a different strategy, but all HECs would address the root causes of poor health and develop opportunities for all residents to experience better health by creating broader access to safe and affordable housing, fresh, healthy food; and educational and economic opportunities. The Healthcare Innovation Steering Committee approved the framework at its meeting on May 9, 2019.