MetroHealth Seeks Community Partners to Address Social Needs

The MetroHealth System is looking to partner with community-based organizations with a shared vision for improving the health and well-being of Cuyahoga County residents.

Research shows that about 80% of a person’s health depends on factors beyond the hospital walls, but a longstanding challenge for physicians and other providers has been making effective referrals to social service agencies that address needs like housing, food insecurity, social isolation and employment.

That’s why MetroHealth partnered with Unite Us, an innovative technology company, to build Unite Ohio – a coordinated care network of health and social care providers. The Unite Us platform allows MetroHealth and its partners to seamlessly send and receive electronic referrals, address people’s social needs and ultimately improve the health of the community.

MetroHealth’s Institute for H.O.P.E.^TM will help onboard social service agencies, develop referral networks and analyze data to ensure the health system is meeting the needs of the community.

“At the Institute for H.O.P.E. we believe in the power of community," said Susan Fuehrer, President, Institute for H.O.P.E.^TM "Together, with Unite Us technology and strong community organizations, we can help everyone to live their healthiest life.”

This is a significant, multi-year investment by MetroHealth, but the tool will be available to community-based organizations at no cost. Interested organizations can learn more at ohio.uniteus.com.

Crain's Cleveland Business recently published a story about this effort. You can read it here.