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social determinants of health

IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING SOCIAL NEEDS IN PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are widely recognized as having an important impact on health and
mortality,1 and there is now strong evidence of the benefits of addressing people’s unmet social needs.
For example, ensuring access to healthy foods and providing
supportive housing for people facing homelessness have been
found to lower healthcare utilization and costs.2 In addition, there
is emerging evidence that screening for and attempting to address
unmet needs within a primary care setting can improve patient
health.3 In response to this growing body of evidence, primary care
practices and health systems are increasingly integrating formal
screening for social needs into clinical care services.

Keywords 
social needs primary care SDOH social determinants of health

Screening For Social Needs: What Do Parents Think?

Author/s: 
Brundage, Suzanne

Public Agenda was commissioned by United Hospital Fund to conduct focus groups on what parents of low-income children in the New York City metro area think about screening for social determinants of health at their pediatrician's office. Although parents had some reservations about discussing sensitive topics, they were still enthusiastic about discussing factors that shape their kids' health and well-being. Three foundations fund this UHF initiative.

Keywords 
children's health social determinants of health low income clinics health care providers health philanthropy well-child visits

The EveryONE Project Neighborhood Navigator

As part of a continued commitment to help our members address social determinants of health (SDOH) at point of care, the AAFP’s EveryONE Project offers tools for screening patients to identify social needs, and addressing health equity in your practice.

The Neighborhood Navigator provides the next step for improving social determinants of health among your patients.

Keywords 
social determinants of health point-of-care health equality health resources
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