An article in JAMA, “Achieving Health Equity by Design,” says:

“healthcare systems should recognize that some individuals have concerns that are perceived as more urgent and immediate than their personal health status, such as unemployment, school failure, and housing instability. Such concerns may make it impossible for medical organizations to address health equity if they do not look outside their walls for assistance. To make progress, hospitals, physicians, and others should explore partnering with community agencies to build on the assets of trusted relationships, insight, and visibility. Working together can not only engage patients more effectively in health where they live and work but also indirectly mitigate factors that contribute to significant illness and disability. ”