Abstract 218: Challenges and Opportunities in Using Cardiovascular Health Metrics and Social Determinants of Health to Inform Population Health Management

Abstract

Background: The collection of cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics and social determinants of health (SODH) can inform population health management activities such as care management and the development of CVH interventions. Therefore, this study sought to examine professionals’ knowledge of the term, CVH, and to gain their perspective on the collection and operationalization of CVH and SODH metrics. Methods and Results: The Population Health Conceptual framework guided the design of this mixed method study and inclusion criteria of participants. Specifically, the sample consisted of professionals that directly and indirectly influence the collection and use of CVH and SODH measures, including healthcare providers/practitioners, healthcare management/administration, physician organizations, and public health, health insurance, and health informatic professionals that provide services to Michigan residents. Data collection (2018-2019), consisted of participants completing a cross-sectional survey that determined their knowledge of the term, CVH, and identified CVH and SODH measures they currently collect and/or are interested in using. Quantitative questions were also utilized to obtain demographics (e.g., credentials and years of experience) of professionals. Following survey completion, individual semi-structured interviews were performed to gain insights on measure collection tools, and how CVH and SODH factors were operationalized in healthcare delivery and interventions. Descriptive statistics were conducted using STATA/MP14. Qualitative analysis, applying grounded theory to assess the data thematically to identify patterns was performed using NVivo12. Tableau Software illustrate study results. Findings indicated that professionals were knowledgeable of the term CVH, but were not familiar with the seven CVH metrics/goals. More than half of participants expressed interest in collecting populations’ sodium intake to inform programs and referrals. Neighborhood characteristics was one of the top SODH participants expressed interest in collecting. One of the most common barriers reported to collecting CVH metrics included lack of reliable collection methods for CVH measures. Additionally, participants articulated that CVH and SODH measures do not align with current performance measures (e.g., HEDIS) collected, thus, capturing CVH and SODH metrics would increase the number of measures they would be responsible for acquiring. Conclusions: Additional efforts are warranted to increase knowledge and awareness of CVH metrics across all professions that aid in the prevention and management cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed to develop reliable data collection tools. Additional advocacy should be performed to encourage the consolidation and alignment of performance measures to facilitate the collection of CVH and SDOH measures.