Provider resources for the social and structural determinants of health
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improvePatient quality of lifeand outcomes

PROMOTE ARights-based approachto patient care

Criminalization
There is significant evidence that incarceration worsens medical and mental health. A large proportion of people who are incarcerated suffer from mental health and substance use disorders. A correctional setting is far from the ideal place to treat these and other medical conditions. Research has found that people with mental illness and substance use disorders do better when they are treated in the community rather than in correctional settings.
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Addressing a Criminal and/or Civil Charge Caused by a Medical Condition
If your patient has been charged with a criminal or civil offense, this resource provides guidance in writing a letter to highlight how a medical condition, mental illness, or disability has contributed to their involvement in the legal system. -
Impact of Incarceration on Health
If incarceration will impact your patient’s medical or mental health, this resource will help you to write a letter advocating that a prison sentence not be imposed on your patient. -
Missed Court Appearances
If, in your assessment, your patient has missed a required court appearance due to an underlying physical or mental health condition and is at risk of facing legal punishment, this resource will help you to write a letter advocating that your patient not be penalized for missing a court date.
Gender Identity
There is ample evidence that individuals who are transgender, genderqueer, or gender non-binary may experience higher rates of mental health issues, often resulting from societal biases and stigmatization. Medical providers and members of the care team can support patients whose gender identities may differ from their sex assigned at birth.
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Name/Gender Marker Change
If your patient would like to legally change their name or gender marker on paperwork including birth certificate, license, or passport, this resource will allow you to write a letter in support of this change by outlining the adverse impacts of gender dysphoria and the importance of gender affirming care.
Housing
Safe housing provides a stable foundation for patients to work on health-related goals. Without adequate housing, patients may be too preoccupied with basic survival needs to discuss longer-term health concerns. For patients with housing, ensuring that living arrangements are sensitive to health-related needs can be an ongoing challenge.
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Poor Housing Conditions
If your patient is living in poor or unsafe housing conditions that are negatively affecting their health, including concerns related to overcrowding, rodents, roaches, mold, lead exposure, or utilities, this resource will allow you to write a letter to the landlord explaining the impacts of these conditions on your patient’s health and advocating for timely changes to be made. -
Emotional Support Animals
If your patient wishes to be housed with animals whom they identify as supportive to them, this resource provides guidance for writing a letter that allows an individual to bring an animal into a building or other place that prohibits pets, and/or waives a deposit fee. -
Preventing Utilities Shut-Off
If your patient is seriously ill or has a disability and is at risk of having their utilities shut-off, this form will allow you to advocate for a deferral of service termination.
Immigration
Immigration status can predispose individuals to worse health outcomes in the United States due to factors such as limited insurance status and access to federal benefits, risk of detainment and deportation, and sociocultural barriers to accessing care. The experience of migration can have significant effects on patient's physical and mental health outcomes.
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Medical Exceptions for U.S. Citizenship Test
If your patient is applying for U.S. citizenship but has a disabling condition that prevents them from learning English and/or U.S. history and civics, this resource will help you provide the medical documentation necessary to support a patient's request for exemption from the English language and civics portions of the citizenship test. -
Allowing for Family Member Visitation
If your patient is very medically sick and has family members residing outside of the country who are unable to visit due to immigration policies, this resource will help you write a letter advocating for the patient’s relatives to be allowed to temporarily visit the United States. -
Preventing Deportation
If, in your assessment, deportation will impact your patient’s medical or mental health, this resource will help you to write a letter advocating for your patient not to be deported from the United States by immigration officials.
Income Support
Individuals who have a "disabling" medical or mental condition may experience significant challenges in obtaining employment opportunities and accessing stable incomes. Substance use and housing insecurity further exacerbate these difficulties. Individuals with these co-occurring conditions may be eligible for disability income assistance.
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SOAR Evaluations (Work in Progress)
If your patient has a disabling medical condition and is experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, this resource will help you complete documentation that helps a patient apply for SSI/SSDI benefits.
Rhode Island
Resources here are specific to Rhode Island. Adaptable versions may be found in other states.
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Preventing Utilities Shut-Off
If your patient is seriously ill or has a disability and is at risk of having their utilities shut-off, this form will allow you to advocate for a deferral of service termination. -
RIPTA Disability Bus Pass
If your patient has a disability and has difficulties paying for public transportation, this resource will help you write a letter advocating for your patient to receive a two-year disability bus pass.
Transportation
Travelling to appointments can be expensive, time-consuming, and unreliable. Faced with transportation challenges before every appointment, patients may find it difficult to maintain steady relationships with healthcare providers.
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MTM (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation)
If your patient experiences transportation difficulties and could use assistance to attend non-emergency healthcare appointments, this resource will help you complete documentation that helps a patient apply for MTM services. -
DMV Disability Placard
If your patient has a disability and needs a disability parking placard for their vehicle, this resource will help you fill out the application form. -
RIPTA Disability Bus Pass
If your patient has a disability and has difficulties paying for public transportation, this resource will help you write a letter advocating for your patient to receive a two-year disability bus pass.
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