Social Determinants of Health 

An individual’s health prospects are shaped by a variety of factors beyond what has been inherited (genetics) and the medical care that is received.  These other factors are called the social determinants of health and include an individual’s social circumstances, environment, and behavioral patterns.  While academic health centers have traditionally focused on medical care, and are working hard to learn more about genetics in health and disease, there is increasing interest in broadening their approach to more directly address the social determinants of health.  The AAHC is engaging member institutions to further develop approaches to individual and population health that include these underlying social determinants.

Academic Health Center Metrics 

With academic health center chief executives, the AAHC is exploring the development of new data to assist member institutions to manage more efficiently and effectively as well as guide decision-making.  Chaired by Jeffrey Balser, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Dean, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, the initiative seeks to develop internal management tools, as well as benchmarks for comparing academic health center performance.

Global Operations

Academic health centers are increasingly advancing in, or working towards, establishing an effective global presence.  The AAHC’s global operations initiative was developed with the guidance of the AAHC Executive Leadership Group of Senior Administrative and Fiscal Officers (SAFO) and the SAFO Global Operations Workgroup.  The Workgroup identified key issue areas, such as human resources, regulatory, finance, insurance, security, and management structure where significant guidance would be helpful. The AAHC is engaged in collaborative partnerships with other international associations to work towards providing information and support in the establishment and management of international operations.