Penn State Health community health worker Cristel Woodcock, right, shares a connection with Maria Hernandez of Harrisburg during a visit to Brethren Community Ministries. The 2024 Community Benefits Report highlights how the health system brings essential health services to people beyond the walls of its hospitals.
2024 Community Benefits Report Highlights Health Awareness Efforts
Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine employees touched more than 1 million lives through community health programs in fiscal year 2024. The organization’s successful efforts to improve mental health, health equity, well-being and disease prevention come to life in the 2024 Community Benefits Report, “Advancing Health Equity.” Strengthening our communities.”
December 4, 2024
“The care we provide does not stop within the walls of our hospitals and doctor’s offices,” said Deborah Addo, interim CEO, president and COO of Penn State Health. “Our employees partner with schools, faith-based organizations, shelters, food pantries and more to help give every adult and child the opportunity to live a healthy life.”
The health system also contributed $165,936,729 in community benefits and financial assistance in fiscal year 2023, the highest amount in its history. This “total community benefit,” required by the IRS for hospitals to maintain nonprofit status, includes effective programs, charity care, unreimbursed Medicaid costs, and additional medical, dental, and pharmacy services .
To help guide its community health strategies, Penn State Health conducts a needs assessment every three years. The assessment identified
three key health issues: mental health, health equity and wellness/disease prevention. Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine employees, in collaboration with our community partners, are actively addressing these issues by connecting low-income people to health services, offering free flu shots, and raising awareness of stroke and skin cancer among children.
“Penn State Health is moving beyond the traditional role of health care provider,” Addo said. “As an integrated academic health system, we are collaborating with the Penn State College of Medicine on groundbreaking clinical trials and training the next generation of healthcare professionals. Penn State Health and the College of Medicine address the disparities that create health inequities and help build healthier, stronger communities for all.
THE 2024 Community Benefits Report webpage features audio recordings of the five featured stories, ensuring accessibility for those who are visually impaired or those who prefer to listen. The stories feature a Penn State Health community health nurse who is a conduit of care at a Lancaster nonprofit; health system drive-thru flu vaccination clinics; two programs that teach children how to spot a stroke and protect their skin from the sun; and community health workers who lead Penn State Health’s primary health care outreach.
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