ABSTRACT
To increase confidence in our public health system, greater links between public health and communities and between the public health and acute care systems are essential. We need a new paradigm, discussed in detail in this chapter, one that moves from a patient-centered care system (our traditional acute care, managed care, long-term care system) to a community-centered health and social care ecosystem. However, recognizing that a comprehensive national or federal public health initiative will be difficult if not impossible to implement in today's polarized climate, this chapter suggests a state-level approach. In the United States, states have historically taken the lead on many important national issues.
We will continue to face ongoing pandemics and endemics. Pandemics worsen socioeconomic disparities in health. Thus, interest groups that represent disadvantaged populations should be looking for comprehensive yet realistic solutions that will significantly benefit their constituencies. Pandemics, and COVID, in particular, represent a significant drain on our overall economy (trillions in economic cost!), and thus should be of vital interest to the commercial sector. If commercial interests work together with advocacy groups representing the disadvantaged, then these two groups can make this proposal reality.
