Abstracts from the 7th International Jerusalem Conference on Health Policy

Background: Children and young people (CYP) with ongoing physical health conditions such as asthma are affected by mental health and social conditions.The current healthcare model designed for acute episodic illness delivers variable and poor outcomes, and demand is rising unsustainably.We present a population approach to healthcare delivering high quality preventive and responsive biopsychosocial care as part of clinical-academic health systems strengthening initiative, using data to inform a population registry for improving direct patient care and system intelligence for improving services.Study Question: Can data-driven population health management improve health outcomes and equity among children with ongoing conditions?Methods: An opportunistic cluster randomised control trial, measuring health, healthcare quality, and healthcare use between intervention and control, and before-after implementation.Population approach to case finding and improving equity of access to care will be assessed by comparing coverage and uptake rates with prevalence of health and population socio-economic conditions.Estimates of ED attendances prevented by comparing attendances in the quarter before and after receiving CYPHP care, using routine hospital administrative data.Results: The first wave of active case finding reached 90% eligible population; 11% participated in early intervention.Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of participants suggest this approach enhances equity of access to care; a high proportion of CYP from ethnic minority families and living in deprived conditions.Early results suggest improved healthcare quality and reductions in ED use among patients with asthma, epilepsy, or constipation.We estimate 288 fewer ED contacts per asthma 100 patients, per year, 120 for epilepsy, and 60 for constipation.Conclusions: A population approach to biopsychosocial care can improve early intervention and care among CYP with ongoing conditions.Health Policy Implications: Population health approaches to care can improve health, healthcare quality, and health service sustainability.Clinical academic partnerships and learning health systems are a successful means of strengthening health systems and improving health.