| WASHINGTON, DC (June 20, 2012) – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) released a white paper report entitled “The Economic Impact of School Based Healthcare,” based on an economic analysis called Estimated Value-Return on Investment (EV-ROI). The analysis found preliminary evidence that the School Based Health Care (SBHC) model delivers significant financial returns in terms of both short- and long term savings to multiple public and private sector stakeholders, while delivering interventions which dramatically increase access and improve outcomes, particularly for ethnic minorities. Applying this finding to the estimated 5,500 students enrolled in one of 11 schools with SBHCs in East Baton Rouge yielded a projected annual savings of $5.25 million which, compared to the estimated $1.6 million to operate these centers annually, results in an estimated return of $3.28 for every $1.00 invested spent on the SBHCs. (Note: while all costs to deliver the interventions were counted, only a small number of the interventions were measured and monetized, therefore the “true” ROI will only increase over time.) The community-based nonprofit Health Centers in School in Baton Rouge was selected as the subject location for the first phase of this study due to its unique demographic make-up, and student enrollment pool of 45,000. EV-ROI combines a commonly accepted probability theory with a commonly used tool that helps inform financial decisions. Expected value takes the probability of an occurrence and multiplies that probability times the cost of an occurrence to compute the Expected Value. Published research is collected as the basis for cost estimates and the probability of occurrence is based on data collected on a specific set of interventions to a specific population. The primary goal of the study was to identify and monetize the value of the health care interventions that SBHCs provide to a range of public and private stakeholders. To this point, most reports on SBHC impact had focused on “outputs” (number of children treated/encountered) rather than health, social and educational “outcomes” and, when they did note outcomes, most of those were stated in terms of percentages (“reduce absenteeism, increases test scores”), rather than economic impacts. Findings also included additional estimated non-medical cost savings for the East Baton Rouge Health Centers in Schools of: - ·An estimated 56,000 fewer hours of parent’s time taken from work because of the care available through SBHCs, for an estimated annual savings of $635,000 in reduced worker absenteeism;
- An estimated 30 fewer ambulance calls, for a savings of $53,000;
- Measuring the effect of immunizing 636 students against the flu yielded a savings of $985,792 from a reduction in flu incidence among 849 people
- Improved high school graduate rates, resulting in higher income tax revenues from increased lifetime earnings, of over $2.4 million
“We hope to vigorously pursue additional opportunities to expand this important economic analysis to additional geographic areas,” said Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “As well as to more fully integrate HHF’s resources, programs, and vast network – particularly Latino youth interested in pursuing healthcare careers – with the SBHC model. Our goal will be to help bring sustainability to this proven health care delivery model by addressing the shortage of qualified minority health care providers, which we have been doing through our Latinos On Fast Track program for years. By leveraging our talent pool, platforms and long-standing programs, we can make an impact. I applaud the work of MSA Management and the vision and leadership of MedImmune and CVS Caremark in this area.” For an article written by Tijerino in the Miami Herald addressing the need for more minority healthcare professionals and featuring HHF’s programs as part of the solution please visit http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/26/2559775/america-needs-latino-healthcare.html. HHF partnered with MSA Management, LLC, which designed and conducted the projected economic impact study and furnished an Estimated Value-Return on Investment (EV-ROI) analysis of a multi-site SBHC system. Funded in large part by grants from MedImmune and CVS Caremark Workforce Initiatives, the primary goal of the study was to identify and monetize the value that SBHCs provide to a multitude of public and private stakeholders. The EV-ROI based study gives insight into the enormous economic impact that can be provided by the installation of such SBHC systems. A complete copy of the white paper is available at www.hispanicheritage.org. About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Established in 1987 by the White House, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) is a 501c3, national nonprofit which inspires, identifies, prepares and positions Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), education, social innovation, and business and finance. HHF also provides Latinos in America with role models, cultural pride and a promising future through public awareness campaigns and special events. What distinguishes HHF from other organizations is a focus on helping “a Latino to help hundreds more" including in the healthcare space and other priority-fields. Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org and follow HHF on twitter @HHFoundation for more information. Latino students and professionals are encouraged to visit LOFTnetwork.org to join a network community of more than 75,000 students and young professionals who are part of the Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) leadership and workforce development program. Contact: Melanie Shaw Ginn at melanie@msamgmt.com. |
