New Guidebook Released by CMS to Tackle Social Determinants of Health

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently unveiled a set of resources aimed at improving the coordination of healthcare, public health, and social services among federal agencies, states, local governments, and tribal governments. One of the key resources is a 54-page playbook that offers guidance on addressing social determinants of health.

Federal agencies are identified in the playbook as taking action to improve the social circumstances of individuals in order to support health. It outlines various programs offered by agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency. These initiatives aim to align investments to finance community infrastructure, offer grants to empower communities to address health-related social needs, and promote coordinated use of resources and data to improve health outcomes.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has emphasized the interconnected nature of health and the social determinants that influence it. He noted that access to stable housing, healthy food