The field of Health and Social Care encompasses all services provided for the welfare of humans. This includes medical treatment, care for the elderly, the disabled, people with mental health problems and others who need assistance. A career in this field involves a high level of education and training. It requires a good understanding of both the human body and social policies. Students need to have a thorough knowledge of current laws regarding rights, discrimination and abuse.

Integrated health and social care is a growing concern as healthcare systems around the world face aging populations and shrinking budgets. Rather than viewing social needs as an add-on to traditional healthcare, many governments and providers have begun addressing these issues head-on. This integration reduces health care costs, prevents unnecessary invasive procedures and fosters healthier communities.

While there is tremendous variation in implementation, some states are incorporating social determinants into managed care through contract requirements with MCOs or by using SDOH data to inform risk stratification frameworks for implementing bundled interventions. In other instances, states are leveraging a recent innovation in payment and care delivery called the Accountable Health Community model to encourage collaboration between healthcare organizations and community-based organizations.

Other countries are experimenting with more advanced models that bring together the management structures of the health and social care system by aligning goals, standards and funding between sectors or pooling their funds and staff under one governing board. However, these approaches still suffer from co-dependency and can lead to inadequate fund settlements and delayed transfer of funds.