Glossary of Terms

Community-health centers
Community-health centers are organizations that provide primary care services to low-income patients, including federally qualified health centers and health center look-alikes, public health clinics, school-based health centers, nurse-managed clinics, and voluntary free clinics, among others.

Safety nets
Those providers that organize and deliver a significant level of health care and other health-related services to uninsured, Medicaid and other vulnerable patients (Institute of Medicine).

Safety-net hospital
Hospitals that provide a significant level of care to low-income, uninsured and vulnerable populations. They are distinguished by a mission and commitment to provide access to care for people with limited or no access to health care due to their financial circumstances, insurance status or health condition. Considerations for Kresge also include the hospital’s proximity to underserved populations, its relationships with other safety-net providers and engagement in community prevention.

Social determinants of health
Factors in the social environment that contribute to or detract from the health of individuals and communities. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Socioeconomic status, transportation, housing, access to services, discrimination by social grouping (e.g., race, gender or class), and social or environmental stressors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Vulnerable populations
Those who are made vulnerable by their financial circumstances or place of residence, health, age, personal characteristics, functional or developmental status, ability to communicate effectively, and presence of chronic illness or disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).