Health system ups focus on population health to improve outcomes, lower costs

Temple University Health System created an institute centered on population health to engage patients and their physicians in programs to improve outcomes at lower costs, the Philadelphia-based system announced Tuesday. Through the institute, TUHS will work together with primary-care practices, federally qualified health clinics and city health clinics, as well as form relationships with acute rehabilitation units, sub-acute nursing facilities, community hospitals and nursing homes.

The TUHS institute comes amid growing interest in population health management. More than half (55 percent) of health leaders have a formalized population health management program, while 17 percent plan to add one within the next year, according to 2011 Aegis Health Group data released last summer. Announcement