Social drivers of health matter. How can hospitals help?
A new report by The Root Cause Coalition highlights community needs and priorities when it comes to the social drivers of health. More
No margin, no mission? How safety net hospitals balance financial and ethical concerns
For hospitals that operate on razor-thin margins, balancing financial concerns with their social mission is an incredibly difficult task. In NEJM, experts explain how hospitals manage these challenging tradeoffs. More
REGISTER: Are hospitals giving back as much as they take? A close-up look at California
Communities invest in their local nonprofit hospitals through big tax breaks. Are hospitals giving back their fair share in return? To find out, the Lown Institute analyzed hospital community investments compared to the value of their tax breaks—what we call “Fair Share Spending.” More
“Nudging” doctors to reduce overuse
How can we combat cognitive biases and reduce overuse? Recent studies provide insights for "nudging" doctors away from low-value care. More
A year after Wellstar Atlanta closes, area hospitals struggle to pick up the pieces
One year ago, safety net hospital Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center closed its doors. Recent interviews help paint a picture of how this closure has impacted remaining hospitals. More
Why good hospitals don’t always make good neighbors
New research sheds light on how some hospitals are falling short when it comes to serving those closest to them. More
The most inclusive hospitals get the least amount of radiology research funding, study finds
Is there a relationship between hospital inclusivity and the funding they receive? A new study explains... More
The rising danger of private equity in healthcare
Emerging evidence shows that the influence of private equity in healthcare demands attention. Here’s what’s in the latest research. More
One third of hospitals take legal action against patients with outstanding medical bills, study finds
Hospital watchdogs have started collecting valuable data on hospital billing practices. Here are the results from one such study. More
Five ways hospitals can be more socially responsible in 2024
Many of us adopt resolutions for the New Year—could hospitals do the same? Here are five ways that hospitals could become more socially responsible in the coming year, inspired by those hospitals that are already leading the way. More
WATCH: Hospitals reveal key challenges to achieving equity, and how they’re overcoming them
Bringing together Dr. Vikas Saini (the Lown Institute), Dr. Katherine Peeler (Boston Children’s Hospital), Dr. Omar Lateef (RUSH University Medical Center), and Dr. Thea James (Boston Medical Center), the discussion focused on the role of hospitals in addressing problems like moral stress and burnout and how a commitment to equity fits into their resolution. Watch the video of the event and read some of the highlights from the discussion. More
The rising debate about hospital community benefits: Sanders vs AHA
Two new reports — one from Bernie Sanders' Senate committee and one from the American Hospitals Association — provide very different views on hospital community benefit spending. Here’s what you need to know. More
Six ways Congress could improve the hospital community benefit standard
What can policymakers do about this issue to protect patients from medical debt and ensure hospitals are giving back their fair share to communities? Here are some proposals that could move the needle... More
“We should all have an equity lens”: Insights from hospital equity officers
New research shows the challenges that hospital equity officers face, and opportunities for change. More
What’s the tea on 340B?
If you want to see an epic battle between hospitals and pharma, look no further than the 340B drug discount program. Why is this program so controversial, and what do new studies show about its effectiveness? More
How much hospital CEO pay is too much? This city is considering a cap on executive compensation
Hospitals are an outlier among nonprofits when it comes to CEO pay, and hospitals in Los Angeles are no exception. Here's what one union is doing about it... More
How do Critical Access Hospitals perform on the Lown Index?
Critical Access hospitals serve patients that would otherwise have limited access to healthcare. How do they perform on the Lown Index? Let's take a look... More
WATCH: Investing in Health and Well-Being
How do we reimagine what opportunity looks like for all…and who is accountable for doing that? Watch the recording and read a brief recap of the recent NY Federal Reserve event, Investing in Health and Well-Being More
How do academic medical centers perform on the Lown Index?
Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) are affiliated with medical schools and tend to be larger, well-resourced institutions. How do they perform on the Index? Let's take a look... More
2023 Hospital Social Responsibility: Event Recap
Over 3,600 hospitals were evaluated across the nation. Fifty-four earned A’s across the three main categories of equity, value, and outcomes, earning them Honor Roll status. To have a socially responsible healthcare system, we need more hospitals performing better on metrics like pay equity, racial inclusivity, and community investment. So how do we accomplish this goal? More