Table 2.

Examples of Provider Initiatives Implemented to Address Health Disparities

Name	Initiatives
FMH	Interpreter Services: In the early 1990s, FMH instituted an American Sign Language interpreter services program to meet the needs of a large local deaf population. In the past 25 years, FMH's in-person interpreter services program has grown significantly in staff and now includes Spanish language interpreters, as well as interpreting services through telephone and remote video feed.
	Population Health: FMH recently established a senior management position to focus on ensuring that new health disparities' reduction efforts align with the organization's strategy to improve the area population's health. Examples of newly formed initiatives include a program to increase connections between FMH and the community, improving access to prenatal care for uninsured and underinsured mothers in the community, opening a clinic for chronically ill patients, and providing dental services for uninsured community residents.
Methodist Healthcare	CHN: Launched in 2006, Methodist, in partnership with a core group of churches in the adjacent community, created the CHN program as a means to develop trust and relationships with community members aimed at improving population health and reducing inappropriate use of health services. As part of CHN, leaders in the faith community agree to participate in the program by signing a “covenant,” which is a commitment to participate in CHN that requires the churches to identify volunteers within their respective congregations who serve as community liaisons to Methodist navigators.
VFC	Diabetes Care Management Program: The program began in 2014 to assist patients with management of their diabetes with the goals of reducing medical complications and avoiding hospitalizations. Primary care physicians refer patients with elevated Hemoglobin A1c to the program, through which they meet regularly with nurses who track the patients' progress in controlling their blood glucose levels and provide ongoing support and referrals to health education services.
	Health Education Department: The goal of the department is to empower patients with the knowledge and tools to make healthy decisions for themselves to ultimately reduce disparities. The department's primary program is one-on-one educational counseling, wherein health educators meet with the provider and the patient to work collaboratively to tailor health maintenance education to the needs of the individual patient. The department also conducts community outreach with various nonhealthcare organizations to gauge what services would be valuable to the community.

Source: Authors' analysis of self-reported data provided by case study organizations, Spring 2016.¹⁵

CHN, Congregational Health Network.