Poor Community Health is Associated with Increased Use of Emergency Departments among Employees
This study snapshot outlines findings from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded research examining the effect of poor community health on business performance.
Employers understand the effect of poor individual health on their economic performance, including rising health care costs and lost productivity. Yet, minimal research has examined the effect of poor community health on business performance. Where people live affects their health and mortality, which underscores the need for public and private sector investment in the health of communities. Using a multi-employer database, this study found that employees living in areas with poorer community health had higher emergency department utilization, but not hospitalizations or paid medical claims.
This study snapshot outlines research by Neil Goldfarb, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition of Health, and colleagues from the Thomas Jefferson University, the Public Health Management Corporation, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Gallagher, and the CFO Alliance, that suggests a need for greater education about and access to primary care.
Full findings are available in Preventing Chronic Disease.
This project is funded as part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s solicitation “Engaging Businesses for Health,” which is managed by AcademyHealth.