Population health management in theory and practice

Abstract

The concepts of population health management in both theory and practice have significant implications for improving health care quality and lowering costs. I discuss the importance of defining the perspective and populations for population health management. Lifestyle management strategies emphasize health risk reduction and prevention techniques as they target a relatively healthy population. Demand management approaches extend lifestyle management strategies by concentrating on consumer demand for medical care services. Disease management techniques typically focus on individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, or asthma. These programs offer targeted health and care management services to help coordinate the needs and care of individuals with those specific diseases. Catastrophic care management services extend the disease management approach to provide health management services for individuals with catastrophic illnesses or injuries. Disability management approaches are designed from an employer's perspective to improve worker productivity by focusing on strategies to reduce injuries, avoid illness, and better manage employee disability. Information technologies especially are important in developing and implementing each of the above population health management strategies. A conceptual model of population health management integrates the theory and the practice of population health management on both individual and organizational levels. Lastly, I discuss practical and research issues around developing and applying a population health management model in the U.S.

Citation

Scheck McAlearney, A. (2002), "Population health management in theory and practice", Advances in Health Care Management (Advances in Health Care Management, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 117-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-8231(02)03008-2