Health Practice Tools

In this Practice Alert, NASW provides resources for social workers to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available and general eligibility guidelines to access a vaccine in the initial phases of distribution. NASW encourages individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when they meet their state’s eligibility criteria. NASW is advocating for vaccine access for social workers and populations that are at high-risk for COVID-19, and NASW will continue to monitor federal and state vaccine distribution plans.

Open Enrollment for the health insurance marketplace is Sun, November 1 through Tues, December 15, 2020 for coverage to begin on January 1, 2021. Social workers can help families make an informed decision about health insurance during this challenging time and promote health, wellness, and financial security by protecting families from unexpected medical costs.

Get resources for National Diabetes Month and beyond.

Taking social risk factors into account is critical to improving the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic illness. Social workers are specialists in providing social care who have a long history of working within health care delivery, and in-depth training and credentialing. With expertise in patient and family engagement, assessment, care planning, behavioral health, and systems navigation, social workers identify and address multiple factors that contribute to health and well-being.

NASW played a lead role in conceiving and funding The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) Consensus Study Report, Integrating Social Care into the Delivery of Health Care: Moving Upstream to Improve the Nation’s Health. This landmark report recognizes that social workers are specialists in identifying and addressing social needs, and it includes numerous recommendations to ensure that the nation’s health care systems address the many factors that contribute to health.

On April 16^th each year, NASW celebrates National Healthcare Decisions Day to empower individuals to engage in advance care planning (ACP). As individuals, families, and communities face the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of conversations about health care treatment preferences comes into new focus. During this public health emergency, health care social workers have a crucial role in communicating pertinent health information to family members and loved ones and advocating on behalf of patients in health settings.