Using Population Segmentation to Provide Better Health Care for All: The "Bridges to Health" Model

• Published in: The Milbank quarterly Vol. 85; no. 2; pp. 185 - 208
• Main Authors: LYNN, JOANNE, STRAUBE, BARRY M., BELL, KAREN M., JENCKS, STEPHEN F., KAMBIC, ROBERT T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.06.2007; Blackwell Publishing; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Chronic diseases; community health planning; Cost estimates; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated - organization & administration; Disabilities; Disability; Diseases; Health care; Health care access; Health care costs; Health care delivery; Health care reform; Health needs; Health policy; Health Priorities - organization & administration; Health services; health services needs and demand; Humans; Medicaid; Medicare; Models, Organizational; Original; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care - organization & administration; Patient Care Planning - organization & administration; Patient-Centered Care - organization & administration; person-focused health; Physicians; Planning methods; Population; Population estimates; Priorities; Public health; Quality Assurance, Health Care - organization & administration; Quality Indicators, Health Care - organization & administration; Quality of care; Quality of Health Care; Quality of service; Severity of Illness Index; Social research; Studies; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0887-378X; 1468-0009
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0009.2007.00483.x

The model discussed in this article divides the population into eight groups: people in good health, in maternal/infant situations, with an acute illness, with stable chronic conditions, with a serious but stable disability, with failing health near death, with advanced organ system failure, and with long-term frailty. Each group has its own definitions of optimal health and its own priorities among services. Interpreting these population-focused priorities in the context of the Institute of Medicine's six goals for quality yields a framework that could shape planning for resources, care arrangements, and service delivery, thus ensuring that each person's health needs can be met effectively and efficiently. Since this framework would guide each population segment across the institute's "Quality Chasm," it is called the "Bridges to Health" model.