LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Humana Inc . (NYSE: NYSE:HUM), a prominent health insurance and healthcare services provider in the United States, has published the results of a pilot study in the American Journal of Managed Care, examining the structural determinants of health, such as health literacy and perceived discrimination. This initiative represents the first of its kind by a national health plan to focus analytically on these critical yet often overlooked factors affecting health equity.
The study involved telephonic surveys of newly enrolled Medicare Advantage members to assess the feasibility of screening for health literacy and perceived healthcare discrimination. Findings from the pilot indicated that nearly one in five respondents exhibited low or limited health literacy. Notably, 88% of those who felt they had experienced healthcare discrimination identified as Black. The results also showed a correlation between low health literacy and higher rates of loneliness, food insecurity, and low income among respondents.
J. Nwando Olayiwola, MD, MPH, Chief Health Equity Officer & SVP at Humana, highlighted the practical applications of the study's insights, stating that the findings have led to the expansion of screening methods and the enhancement of staff training to better understand and respond to issues such as limited health literacy. These measures aim to improve member engagement and address the barriers identified.
Candy Magaña, MPA, Director of Health Equity Innovation, Solutions, and Transformation at Humana, underscored the importance of the study, pointing out the scarcity of literature on the implementation of such screenings in managed care settings. She emphasized the need for evidence-based, validated screening tools and the training of staff to administer these tools effectively.
The information disclosed in this article is based on a press release statement from Humana Inc.
InvestingPro Insights
In the context of Humana Inc.'s (NYSE: HUM) latest initiatives to improve health equity, the company's financial health and market performance provide additional insights for investors. According to InvestingPro data, Humana has a robust market capitalization of $44.78B, reflecting its significant presence in the healthcare industry. The company's commitment to shareholder returns is exemplified by its consistent dividend growth, with a notable increase of 12.38% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. Furthermore, Humana's P/E ratio stands at 18.24, with an adjusted P/E ratio for the same period at a lower 15.37, suggesting a potentially more attractive valuation for investors.
An InvestingPro Tip worth highlighting is that Humana has been aggressively buying back shares, which could signal management's confidence in the company's value. Additionally, the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, indicating a strong financial position that could support its initiatives, such as the health equity study mentioned in the article. For those interested in exploring more about Humana's financials and market performance, there are 12 additional InvestingPro Tips available, which could provide a deeper understanding of the company's investment potential.
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