Renton, Wash.-based Providence St. Joseph Health funneled $1.6 billion into programs focused on the health needs of homeless and mental health patients during 2018.
Providence St. Joseph Health comprises 51 hospitals across seven states in the U.S. More than 160,000 people experiencing homelessness reside in the states PSJH serves, including California, Oregon and Washington.
To address key health and social issues of their patient populations, PSJH invested in initiatives and programs for the following issues:
1. Mental health and substance abuse. The health system is working to develop measures to identify root causes and early treatments for patients struggling with these conditions.
2. Social determinants of health, such as housing instability, food insecurity and social isolation. PSJH partnered with local organizations to establish resources, education and community support.
3. Chronic diseases. By providing education on topics such as nutrition and self-care, the health system aims to decrease chronic hospitalization and long-term care needs.
4. Access to services. PSJH aims to develop more ways to localize healthcare, especially for patients who are low-income or living in poverty.