GNYHA’s Social Determinants of Health Learning Series continued with a second webinar on addressing the health and social needs of justice-involved individuals. The webinar highlighted the New York City Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services department and the care provided to people in custody. Jonathan Giftos, MD, Clinical Director, Substance Use Treatment, discussed the prevalence of behavioral health diagnoses in the jail system and related risks. Dr. Giftos discussed H + H’s jail-based clinical and substance use services, including an opioid treatment program and supervised withdrawal. Bill Collins, Director, Social Work Re-Entry, detailed programs for incarcerated patients with mental health diagnoses, as well as discharge planning and court liaison services that aim to facilitate re-entry. Ellie Epstein, Director, Point of Reentry & Transition program, discussed post-release services, including primary care, medication-assisted treatment, and a helpline for patients and community-based providers to coordinate care and maintain continuity of services.
A recording of the webinar and materials are available here. GNYHA will continue its Social Determinants of Health Learning Series with a webinar in December on addressing patients’ transportation needs.