Kumanu, an Ann Arbor-based well-being technology firm, and ProMedica, an integrated health and well-being nonprofit headquartered in Toledo, announced a new platform called Resourceful that helps address unrecognized social determinants of health.
Social determinants of health — the social and economic factors that are often root causes of employee health issues, lost productivity, and reduced engagement with work — impact nearly one-third of all working Americans, according to a national survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of ProMedica and Kumanu in December.
The poll found that 24 percent of full-time workers in the U.S. had experienced food insecurity issues, 20 percent of respondents were worried about stable housing, and 27 percent said they were experiencing childcare challenges — all common examples of social determinants of health.
Resourceful is designed to help change this by offering a customizable platform to employers that can help destigmatize these issues and identify common social determinants within a workforce that are left unmet by traditional employer benefits. After identifying these determinants, the platform can confidentially connect employees with support and resources available at their workplace or in their community.
“Unmet employee needs related to social determinants of health can have a significant impact on health and business outcomes,” says Randy Oostra, president and CEO of ProMedica. “ProMedica’s decade-long experience in this area demonstrates that by effectively addressing SDOH needs, employers can help improve quality of life for employees while better positioning their companies for future success.”
The companies say new platform is considered a win-win for both employers and employees. Employees can get access to the resources they need, while employers can ensure their teams feel prepared to bring their best selves to work.
The ProMedica National Social Determinants of Health Institute and Kumanu’s purpose experts will provide consultative services for employers. They can also customize the Resourceful platform to each organization’s needs, so it enhances already existing wellness programs.
“People are emotionally and physically burned out and are struggling in many ways. The current mix of employer well-being solutions is falling short and fails to identify all of the factors that cause people hardship,” says Vic Strecher, founder and CEO of Kumanu. “For the first time, Resourceful empowers employers to address essential needs and improve their employees’ sense of dignity by addressing the unmet SDOH needs and providing stigma-free, technology-driven access to resources.”
