Examining the relationship between hospital ownership and population health efforts.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between ownership type and population health initiatives adopted by hospitals using the 2015 American Hospital Association data.

Design/methodology/approach: Hospitals of various sizes, ownership structures and geographic locations are represented in the survey. The outcome variables of interest include measures of hospital population health activities.

Findings: Findings indicate that nonprofit hospitals are most likely to express commitment to population health and participate in population health activities, with for-profit hospitals being least likely. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

Research Limitations/implications: This study demonstrates that discrepancies in population health approaches exist across ownership status - particularly, nonprofit hospitals appear to be the most likely to be involved in population health efforts.

Practical Implications: As we continue to push for population health management in the hospital setting, grappling with the definition and purpose of population health management will be essential.

Social Implications: Overall, these results suggest that nonprofit hospitals are more likely to be implementing population health efforts than for-profit or government-owned hospitals.

Originality/value: Although there are several studies on population health in hospitals, this study is the first to investigate the relationship between ownership type and population health initiatives adopted by hospitals.