Hundreds of leaders will gather to explore data-driven strategies for transforming care delivery and reducing disparities in health outcomes at the American Hospital Association’s inaugural Healthier Together Conference.
The event — which will take place from May 12-14 in Dallas — will focus on the best ways to support patients and help communities thrive. Attendees from across the country will discuss the latest innovative approaches to expanding access to care, strengthening hospital-community partnerships, advancing person-centered interventions and implementing collaborative community solutions to achieve better outcomes and increase resilience.
“We’re excited to host the inaugural AHA Healthier Together Conference — designed for health care leaders committed to improving outcomes across their organizations and communities,” said Joy Rhoden, AHA senior vice president and executive director of the division of health outcomes and care transformation. “This event brings together experts who are implementing evidence‑based strategies to reduce disparities in health outcomes. Attendees will leave energized and equipped with practical tools, proven interventions and actionable solutions they can immediately apply in their clinical and operational work.”
5 Key Areas of Focus for Better Health Outcomes
The conference will facilitate collaboration among attendees who want to share best practices for achieving better health outcomes in addition to cutting-edge strategies and solutions for improving the health of all individuals.
Sessions will be grouped into these five primary areas of focus:
- Reducing disparities in health outcomes to support better health for all
- Leading practices for data assessment and analytics to identify and prioritize tactics to address population and community-level health needs
- Care delivery transformation to address the needs of various populations (such as children, pregnant patients and older individuals)
- Building and maintaining partnerships with public health and community-based organizations to support better health outcomes
- Engaging patients and communities to co-design health programs and interventions
Almost 200 speakers representing more than 100 organizations across 20 states and speaking at more than 40 sessions will address a wide range of topics, such as the following:
- Healthy aging and caregiver support
- “Food is medicine” programming
- Chronic disease management
- Innovative community health worker involvement
- Maternal and child health strategies
- Behavioral health access and partnerships
Note: This isn’t an exhaustive list. Explore the full agenda.
3 Notable Sessions: Tackling Health Care’s Biggest Challenges
Numerous experts from across the nation will offer insights during dozens of sessions over the course of the three-day conference. The schedule includes these plenary sessions, which will delve into some of the most significant challenges that leaders in the health care field face today.
1 | The New Drivers of Health
Daniel Dawes — senior vice president of global health and the founding dean of Nashville, Tennessee-based Meharry Medical College’s School of Global Health — will deliver the opening keynote on how to improve patient outcomes and increase healthy longevity by addressing the new drivers of patient health. Dawes will address how to break down silos and form strategic partners to advance a stronger health system serving the needs of all individuals. The keynote will touch on asking the right questions and examining drivers and data in a novel way to enhance outcomes for all community members while conserving financial resources.
2 | Improving Care for Individuals with Disabilities
During this session, leading experts in disability policy and practice will offer best practices, practical insights and real-world solutions for health systems seeking to enhance access, outcomes and the patient experience for individuals with disabilities. The speakers will address common and potential barriers to access as well as the power of partnerships with community-based organizations to facilitate coordinated support. Additionally, they’ll discuss how to co-create care plans with people living with disabilities and incorporate their experiences and perspectives to improve care.
3 | AI-Driven Tools for Advancing Health
In this session, experts from the American Heart Association and Houston Methodist Hospital will discuss how to utilize artificial intelligence to enhance health at the community and system levels. The speakers will provide real-world examples of organizations leveraging AI to better comprehend, predict and respond to both patient and community health needs, in addition to addressing innovation in areas such as early intervention and chronic disease prevention. Attendees will also learn about possible pitfalls and strategies for designing, implementing and evaluating AI that serves all populations.
“Artificial intelligence cannot replace the human relationships at the heart of health care, but it will increasingly support our ability to understand and respond to the needs of our communities,” said session moderator Chris DeRienzo, M.D., AHA senior vice president and chief physician executive. “This conversation matters because AI gives us a chance to spot risks earlier, target resources more effectively and close long‑standing gaps in access and outcomes. Our responsibility is to make sure we build and deploy these tools in ways that are transparent and worthy of the trust our patients and communities place in us.”
Who Should Attend
The Healthier Together Conference is tailored to leaders (e.g., directors, vice presidents, senior vice presidents, etc.) in the health care field, focused on improving and addressing disparities in outcomes in these areas:
- Population-level data collection and analytics
- Population health and care delivery transformation
- Community and patient engagement
- Community health
- Community benefit
- Access and opportunity
Why Join Us for Healthier Together?
This dynamic event is positioned as the premier gathering for health care leaders who want to bolster well-being in their communities. Attendees will gain insights to help them make a difference in the health care ecosystem.
Join us if you want to:
- Learn how leaders across the nation are enhancing health outcomes
- Hear inspiring success stories from effective change-makers
- Discuss the latest innovative ideas and resources for reducing disparities and transforming care
Save Your Spot Today: The early bird registration window (which comes with a discounted rate) is open through March 31.
