In population health analytics, what is the primary function of risk stratification?
To segment a population into tiers based on their likelihood of future health needs or cost burdens.
Risk stratification is central to the practical utility of population health analytics. This process systematically segments a defined group of individuals into distinct tiers based on predictions regarding their future demands for healthcare services or their potential to incur significant costs. By identifying high-risk individuals, payers and providers can strategically focus their most intensive, personalized management and intervention efforts precisely where they are expected to yield the greatest impact on reducing negative outcomes and managing expenditures efficiently. Tools like the Johns Hopkins model specifically leverage patient data to make these future use predictions.
