Social Determinants of Health

This issue brief discusses health inequities and disparities experienced by people in LGBTQ+ communities enrolled in Medicaid. It outlines considerations for shaping Medicaid policies to combat these inequities and improve health outcomes for this population.

This bulletin encourages states to to consider leveraging available Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) opportunities to improve access to mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

The dashboard reviews tobacco use in the United States. It provides state-level data and emphasizes disparities.

The article reviews how states are using data collected from OUD treatment measures. Emphasis is placed on expanding access to treatment and improving quality and health equity.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published guidance to states and communities on using federal funding to support mental health services for LGBTQI+ youth.

This new Medicaid policy cheat sheet explores five key takeaways from CMS’ May 2024 final rule, which build on the agency’s prior guidance on using "in lew of services" (ILOS) to address health-related social needs (HRSN).

This Issue Brief looks at the impact of cigarette smoking, vaping, and other tobacco use among people experiencing homelessness, including children, teens, families, Indigenous communities with cultural experiences of medicinal tobacco use, and people who experience other forms of social marginalization.

The Issue Brief is designed to help clinicians and other health care providers gain greater insight into the challenging dimensions of access to health care that face formerly incarcerated people during the reentry period, and how healthcare access intersects with homelessness, with attention to the challenges specific to young people involved in juvenile justice systems.

This Issue Brief will discuss some interpersonal practices and communication strategies that clinicians can incorporate to lessen the trauma involved in involuntary commitment, and look at some considerations for structural and systemic change.

This Issue Brief presents best practices and considerations for agencies hoping to develop or expand street medicine and outreach care, through in-person on-site services as well as telehealth delivery, will also be presented.