The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Program collaborated with the Kansas Health Institute in 2023 to investigate how the holistic care coordination (HCC) model could be expanded in primary care and maternal and child health programs in Kansas. The report delves into the current HCC services available for pregnant and postpartum Kansas residents, as well as children, particularly those between the ages of 0-8, with the goal of guiding future enhancements to HCC policy and practice in Kansas.
HCC is a patient-focused approach that takes into account the physical, emotional, and social aspects of a patient and their family when developing a healthcare plan. This approach recognizes that a person’s overall health is not just determined by their medical condition but also by their social determinants of health such as poverty, education level, race/ethnicity, housing stability, access to healthy food, transportation, and environmental factors.
The report highlights the need for more comprehensive HCC services for pregnant and postpartum women in Kansas. Women who receive holistic care coordination during pregnancy are more likely to have better outcomes for themselves and their babies than those who do not. This includes lower rates of preterm births, fewer hospitalizations, improved breastfeeding rates, and increased engagement with healthcare providers.
The report also emphasizes the importance of expanding HCC services for children in Kansas. Children who receive holistic care coordination are more likely to have better physical health outcomes such as lower rates of obesity, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic conditions. They also have better mental health outcomes such as reduced risk of depression and anxiety.
Overall, the report provides valuable insights into how HCC can improve healthcare outcomes for pregnant women and children in Kansas. It recommends several strategies for expanding HCC services including increasing funding for HCC programs at both the state and federal levels; developing partnerships with community organizations to provide additional support services; improving data collection on HCC outcomes;