Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit organizational model

Health challenges in our communities today are great. The cost of health insurance continues to rise, state governments are limited by shrinking budgets, the public health apparatus is strained, and more people are uninsured. Meanwhile, physical and social environments promoting poor nutrition, inactivity, obesity, and the upswing of chronic conditions compound health problems for vulnerable populations. The need for a “total community” approach is more evident than ever. Kaiser Permanente, the largest private non-profit health care program in the country, contributes to the health of communities through direct investments, by working to increase access for the underserved, disseminating care improvements, altering the social determinates of health, and influencing public policy. The health care organization's Community Benefit program is guided by a national strategy with local flexibility and implementation, supported by national and regional funding pools, and built on Kaiser Permanente's integrated health care system. The National Program Office provides guidance and support to each Region, and each Region provides guidance and support to the local medical centers. Each layer of Community Benefit provides support to community-programs designed and implemented in response to specifically identified community needs. Through a coordinated approach of programs, partnerships, and other assistance that unites evidence-based integrated care and research with public health and safety net partners and community activism, Kaiser Permanente's administrative model has effectively created community health improvements. This session will discuss the strengths, challenges and lessons learned from this organizational model and will discuss key partnerships, and initiatives that have impacted the public's health.