Policy and Practice | August 2022

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of any data analytic solution. Then states can determine which popula tions are most likely to engage. States and other organizations with limited resources can benefit from knowing how to get the most out of their outreach efforts. Lukenbill: States should look for tools that provide different models covering various SDOH issues, such as financial and food security, housing, and social isolation. States can dig into the best interventions based on location, economics, and education. Regular reports, training, and con sulting services can make the insights as actionable as possible. Waters: How does Optum work with the Center for Health Equity and clients to deliver findings and strategic support? Lukenbill: We provided the tech nical expertise to process data, secure systems, and produce reports. The con sulting services delivered by Mylynn Tufte, and her team of experts at the States showedwhat is possible in terms of improving equity and access to care, especiallywithdata tools. Statesmoved quickly to improve data exchange, cloud infrastructure, analytics and reporting to support underserved communities.

Center for Health Equity, can assist clients in realizing the benefits from their investment. Tufte: We go from start to finish within the center, from ideation and understanding their data to strategy, all the way to implementation and monitoring. We walk alongside our partners and co-design programs, which we help them implement. We share all the data that are developed or measured throughout the process. Waters: What becomes possible when states harness their data and engage with everything the Center for Health Equity has to offer? Lukenbill: States can have clean, conformed SDOH data with the right Insights as a Service tool that allows states to act instead of worrying about processing data and making reports. Partnering with the Center for Health Equity can make a differ ence right away. Tufte: Tighter integration of data and focused partnerships give states the tools they need to tackle tough issues around health equity. By bringing together expertise in public health, government, strategy, technology, and analytics, our clients can get to the meat of the problem and address it in an all inclusive way. I am excited to see the commitment that we have made to the Center for Health Equity.

Waters: The pandemic highlighted long-standing inequities and their effect on health outcomes. What lessons were learned? Lukenbill: States showed what is possible in terms of improving equity and access to care, especially with data tools. States moved quickly to improve data exchange, cloud infra structure, analytics, and reporting to support underserved communities. For instance, some put in place vaccine dashboards capable of combining measures of SDOH. The dashboards found areas where people lacked trans portation. Then leaders put vaccination centers in those communities. Tufte: Speed and scalability are important too. One state—facing an issue that caused a backlog of lab reports that threatened to delay COVID-19 tracking—turned to us for help. In less than a month, we deployed a solution that delivered reliable data and near real-time processing, increased processing capa bility, and created a repeatable process ready for expansion. Waters: How can states build on these learnings? Lukenbill: One approach is to consider Rapid Insights as a Service, with SDOH and health equity models contained within it. This can help public health officials and state Medicaid officials identify areas of greatest need. The speed to deploy such a service can accelerate time to insight. Tufte: States can also look for new styles of collaboration. I am really excited about the Optum Center for Health Equity. It is a physical space anchored in Washington, DC. It is a convener and a central hub, bringing together payers, providers, public health, and academic centers to work on integrated, data-driven health equity solutions. Waters: What tools and capabili ties can states expect to receive with Insights as a Service solution? Tufte: Sophisticated analysis tools and a risk score model should be part

Learn more about Optum State Government Solutions at optum.com/business/solutions/ state.

Learn more about Healthcare IT Connect at healthcareitconnect.com.

Rob Waters is the President of Healthcare IT Connect.

James Lukenbill , PhD, is the Analytics Strategic Product Manager for Optum State Government Solutions. MylynnTufte , MBA, MSIM, RN, is the Practice Lead, Population Health, for Optum Advisory Services.

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