Winter warmth, lasting change through physician advocacy

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Healthcare providers have an ethical duty to advocate for social influencers of health (SIOH).
• Social influencers of health contribute significantly to health disparities.
• Physician-led initiatives are crucial for addressing SIOH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the Northwestern Department of Medicine (DOM) Winter Coat Drive as a model for physician-led advocacy.
• To demonstrate how community-based interventions can mitigate SIOH.
• To assess the impact of the DOM Winter Coat Drive on health equity and community trust.

Main Methods:

• The DOM Winter Coat Drive was initiated in 2023, involving interdisciplinary teams across hospital departments.
• In 2024, the initiative expanded to seven regional hospitals, nine departments, and ten community organizations.
• Health screenings were integrated with coat distributions to promote preventative care and community engagement.

Main Results:

• Over 1000 coats were donated to individuals experiencing housing and financial instability in the Chicago region.
• The initiative successfully engaged multiple healthcare institutions and community organizations.
• Paired health screenings increased community engagement and promoted preventative care.

Conclusions:

• Structured, community-based interventions grounded in advocacy can effectively address SIOH.
• This model strengthens healthcare provider participation in mitigating health disparities.
• The initiative enhanced trust between healthcare institutions and marginalized communities, promoting health equity.