Population Health


As stewards of the public health and one of the state’s largest employer groups, hospitals are well positioned to address the various health needs of their patients, employees, communities and all residents of the commonwealth. Through the top notch care they provide, as well as their community benefit programs and worksite wellness initiatives, hospitals are tackling many important public health issues including the rising obesity epidemic, health disparities, and chronic disease management.

MHA members with appropriate log-in information can also access our Hospital Community Benefits Support page for the latest community benefits report and a special MHA tool to search recent community benefit programs statewide.
03.09.2020  | COVID-19: Developments Emerge Daily
MHA created a newsletter and webpage on the virus and the state swung into action.
02.24.2020  | Focus on Community Benefits: Cooley Dickinson Health Care
Cooley Dickinson Health Care supports several food systems projects through its community benefit program.
02.24.2020  | Health System Opportunity: Equity in Healthcare
The Boston-based Institute for Healthcare Improvement has a new initiative called Pursuing Equity Learning & Action Network, and is looking to partner with health system teams to fulfill the initiative’s goals.
02.17.2020  | Focus on Community Benefits: Baystate Franklin Medical Center
The Franklin County Perinatal Support Coalition is a multi-sector and provider initiative that convenes monthly more than 30 community agencies.
02.17.2020  | AG Accuses JUUL of Targeting Youths
Attorney General Maura Healy last week filed suit against JUUL Labs, the e-cigarette manufacturer.
02.10.2020  | Hospitals Saving Lives Inside and Outside of Their Walls
MHA has produced a publication – A Commitment to Community: Massachusetts Hospitals’ Community Benefit Initiatives – that details stories showing how hospitals are improving the health of individuals and communities.
02.03.2020  | Free CME-Credit Webinars on Contraceptive Choice
Interested hospital-affiliated clinicians are invited to participate in one or more free, CME-credit-bearing webinars sponsored by Partners in Contraceptive Choice and Knowledge.
02.03.2020  | National Human Trafficking Training Features Brigham Health Expert
Through SOAR Training – Stop, Observe, Ask, Respond – healthcare and social service professionals are better able to recognize those who are at risk or who have experienced human trafficking.
01.27.2020  | MHQP Survey: The Focus on Behavioral Health Paying Off
Seventy-four percent of primary care providers in the commonwealth ask their patients about behavioral health concerns.
01.20.2020  | MHA Joins Supreme Court Amicus Brief to Defend ACA
MHA joined 32 other state hospital associations last Wednesday in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the ACA.
01.20.2020  | A Chance to Comment on Duplicative Healthcare Measures
MHA is encouraging its membership to weigh in on recommendations for possible changes to the 2021 state Aligned Measure Set.
12.16.2019  | MHQP’s List of Primary Care Practices That Patients Admire
MHQP – the Mass. Health Quality Partners – last week announced the winners of its 2019 Patient Experience Awards.
12.09.2019  | Removing the Religious Exemption for School Vaccinations
MHA last week testified in favor of proposed legislation that would eliminate the religious exemption as a reason to refuse vaccinations for school admittance.
11.25.2019  | How Would You Improve the Behavioral Health System?
The state wants to improve the ambulatory behavioral health system and is asking the healthcare sector and the public for ideas on how to make it happen.
11.25.2019  | 3 Bills –Kid’s Health, Tobacco, Safe Driving – Await Gov’s Signature
Three bills that MHA and its membership have endorsed throughout their journey in the State House were passed by the legislature last week.
11.04.2019  | CHIA: Co-Morbid Behavioral Health Issues Complicate Readmissions
CHIA released its second report on behavioral health and readmissions in Massachusetts acute care hospitals.
10.28.2019  | Hospitals Focus on Hunger in the Community
At least 10% of the households in Berkshire County, or about some 14,300 people, suffer from hunger.
10.21.2019  | AG Says Cost Tools, Payment Models Have Limitations
AG Healey will present a report at this week’s HPC trends hearing showing that policymakers should curb their expectations about online price transparency tools .
10.21.2019  | National Report Looks at Coverage Costs
A new study from the Urban Institute and Commonwealth Fund outlines other ways to boost coverage and potentially lower costs.
10.14.2019  | Do You Have Thoughts on Healthcare-Community Partnerships?
Massachusetts is seeking input on the design of a new initiative called “Moving Massachusetts Upstream” (MassUP).

Resources