Improving health equity through medical-legal partnerships

As hospitals and health systems continue to address the social determinants of health to improve health equity and community health outcomes, a key strategy has been to work in partnership with other organizations outside of health care. Medical-legal partnerships are one approach to assist at-risk patients address social needs and resolve legal issues that affect their health and well-being.

During and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, such partnerships help patients and communities that face social and economic challenges, with the aim of improving overall health status.

This issue brief discusses how medical-legal partnerships can support vulnerable populations, and highlights case examples and resources.