NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that the health system and its hospital sites have earned the distinction of “most socially responsible” by the Lown Institute.
A nonpartisan health care think tank. The 2023-24 Lown Index for Social Responsibility looks at more than 3,600 hospitals in the U.S, and it uses 53 metrics across equity, value, and patient outcomes to create the Index. The Index serves to indicate the dedication and commitment the health system has to healthy patients and the surrounding community. Out of 296 health systems, NYC Health + Hospitals ranks #2 nationwide in health equity for its strong performance across metrics of community benefit, pay equity, and inclusivity. The system also ranks #3 nationwide for pay equity, which measures the difference in compensation of hospital executives compared to health care workers without advanced degrees. NYC Health + Hospitals is #5 nationwide in community benefit for financial assistance spending, service of Medicaid patients, and investing in community health needs.
“The Lown Institute recognizes the amazing work our employees and hospitals are doing to care for all New Yorkers,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Our health system is built on a foundation of social and racial equity. We deliver high-quality care with compassion, dignity, and respect to all, without exception. I am so proud of our team and congratulate them on this wonderful recognition.”
“With low-income communities and communities of color facing an epidemic of chronic health conditions, it’s essential that hospitals are there to help those most in need,” said Lown Institute President Vikas Saini, MD. “Inclusive hospitals like those at the top of our index are leading the way.”
In addition to the health system recognition, the Lown Institute Hospitals Index recognizes individual hospitals for achievements:
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan was recognized as America’s most inclusive hospital for serving all patients in its community. It achieved this honor out of 3,533 hospitals nationwide graded by Lown. This is Metropolitan’s second time as #1 in the nation for Inclusivity. It earned that spot in 2021, as well. For the third year in a row, the hospital is also #1 in New York State for in the health equity, inclusivity, and racial inclusivity categories.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi is #1 in the nation and in the state of New York for their success at avoiding tests and procedures that offer little to no clinical benefit to patients. Lown researchers examined 10 low-value services, including knee arthroscopy, coronary artery stenting, and head imaging for fainting. Jacobi beat out 2,613 hospitals nationwide and 128 hospitals in New York State.
“We are honored to be ranked at the top of the list of hospitals in the 2023-23 Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility. Health care is a human right and all New York City residents, whatever their race or where they live, should have access to safe, high-quality health care without the burden of leaving their neighborhood,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan CEO Cristina Contreras, LMSW, MPA, FABC. “Numerous studies have shown the impact disparities can have on care and outcomes. As a community hospital, Metropolitan has been very intentional about improving health equity and providing exceptional care for the communities that we serve.”
“Being ranked #1 in the nation by the Lown Institute for avoiding overuse is a distinct honor. Our outstanding teams strategically utilized the appropriate processes to avoid overuse during the COVID-19 pandemic to benefit our patients,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi CEO Christopher Mastromano. “This recognition of our Jacobi campus demonstrates our staff’s commitment to providing the highest level of person-centered care to the Bronx communities we serve.”
This is the fourth year of the Lown Hospital Index for Social Responsibility, which integrates racial inclusivity, community investment, and pay equity with traditional outcome measures. Medicare Advantage claims have been included for the first time. Full methodology for the 2023-24 report can be found here.
All of the City’s public hospitals received recognition from the 2023-24 Lown Index for Social Responsibility:
All of the City’s public hospitals received recognition from the 2023-24 Lown Index for Social Responsibility:
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
- #1 in New York for Community Benefit
- Top 10 in the nation for Community Benefit
- Top 5 in New York for Health Equity
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Inclusivity, Pay Equity, Value of Care, and Avoiding Overuse
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Health Equity, Community Benefit, Inclusivity, Pay Equity, and Avoiding Overuse
- Top 5 in New York for Social Responsibility, Pay Equity, and Racial Inclusivity
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Health Equity, Patient Safety, Community Benefit, Inclusivity, Value of Care, and Avoiding Overuse
- #1 in the nation for Avoiding Overuse
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Health Equity, Community Benefit, Pay Equity, and Value of Care
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Health Equity, Community Benefit, Inclusivity, Pay Equity, Value of Care, and Avoiding Overuse
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln
- Top 5 in New York for Health Equity, Community Benefit, and Inclusivity
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Pay Equity, Value of Care, and Avoiding Overuse
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
- #1 in the nation for Inclusivity
- #1 in New York for Health Equity, Inclusivity, and Racial Inclusivity
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Social Responsibility, Patient Safety, Community Benefit, and Pay Equity
- Top 5 in New York for Racial Inclusivity
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Health Equity, Community Benefit, Inclusivity, and Pay Equity
NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health
- #1 in New York for Pay Equity
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Health Equity and Community Benefit
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
- Earned ‘A’ grade for Health Equity, Community Benefit, Inclusivity, and Pay Equity
NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org
The Lown Institute
Founded in 1973 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Bernard Lown, MD, developer of the defibrillator and cardioverter, the Lown Institute believes that a radically better system of health is possible and generates bold ideas towards that goal. The Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is a signature project of the Institute and features measures never used before like racial inclusivity, avoidance of overuse, and pay equity.
Photo credit: NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem.
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