The economic impact findings, which tell the story of Howard’s 157-year commitment to strategic investment and service to its community, show that Howard’s economic impact in the District alone totaled $1.154 billion in 2019. That year, the University’s student body population, comprised of nearly 13,500 students, spent over $25 million on retail consumer services, entertainment, dining, and other convenience goods. The University made payments totaling more than $500 million to more than 2,300 vendors in fiscal year 2024, including more than $235 million paid to local vendors. In addition, the University and Howard-Universitätskrankenhaus current workforce was comprised of nearly 5,000 employees, with a payroll of $395 million.

There are more than 5,000 community hospitals in the United States. The care they provide for patients is critical and often extends beyond the four walls of the hospital and into the community. As a result, community hospitals provide 24/7 access to needed medical care, support unmet community health needs and serve as economic pillars in their community.

Highlights: A widespread decrease is noted this month across all five of our focus utilization metrics: ambulatory surgeries have the deepest dip in volumes going from 10% over pre-COVID baseline to -2% below baseline in November. Emergency department visits present the second biggest drop in volumes going from -19% below baseline in October to -26% below baseline in November. Observation admissions show a similar decrease in volumes going from 8% over baseline in October to 0% in November, and acute care admissions declined going from -12% below baseline in October to -16% in November. Finally, psychiatric admissions decreased from -21% below baseline in October to -24% in November (see Fig. 1).

 

A downward shift in psychiatric admissions is noted this month after remaining below the median for six months consecutively as pictured in Fig. 2 below. This month involuntary admissions moved above the median for the reported time period following the downward trend noted over the past five months as depicted in Fig. 3 below.

 

 

Join an amazing team and growing association. The District of Columbia Hospital Association is hiring. The DC Hospital Association is a unifying force advancing hospitals and health systems in the District of Columbia by promoting policies and initiatives that strengthen our system of care, preserve access, eliminate disparities and promote better health outcomes for patients and communities.