Humana supports veterans facing loneliness

AA big part of what Humana does on a daily basis is make sure members get the support they need. You may think the support is mainly approving claims and answering plan questions. That is an important part of its business, but more and more of what Humana does focuses on making sure its members get the resources they need to live a full life.

There are many things that affect your health that aren’t medical, but social. Known as social determinants of health, they are part of the national conversation on healthcare. The conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.

These barriers to good health occur outside of the health care system and can be things like poor education, low income or lack of transportation, food insecurity and loneliness.

Social determinants of health are so important that Humana has made it a core principle of its business- to cocreate solutions with community partners – like the government, physicians and community organizations and veteran’s service organizations – that address care of the whole person.

It’s common to experience feelings of loneliness, even when surrounded by friends and family. Loneliness is a feeling of sadness or distress about being alone or feeling disconnected from the world. It can strike when a person doesn’t feel a sense of belonging or have social connections to friends, neighbors or others.

“Many veterans don’t realize that support for loneliness may be available to every veteran through his or her primary care physician (PCP) or a Veteran Service Officer,” said Stephanie Muckey, who leads Humana’s national strategy aimed at removing barriers to health for veterans and their families. “Identifying individuals at risk for loneliness, social isolation and related outcomes allows physicians and health plans like Humana to also predict their healthcare needs and establish appropriate preventive and intervention strategies to improve their health.”

If you or someone you love is facing loneliness, visit FarFromAlone.com to find resources to help or go to www. nacvso.or to locate a Veteran Service Officer who can support them.