AJMC April 23, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Fewer than one-third of US EDs screen for adverse SDOH, despite high prevalence among vulnerable populations.
- Most EDs screen for substance use and mental health, but lack policies for SDOH like housing instability.
- Availability of social work services does not significantly increase screening or response policies for SDOH.
- Lack of SDOH screening in EDs may perpetuate poor health outcomes and exacerbate existing health disparities.
Emergency departments (ED) struggle to screen for social determinants of health, inhibiting quality care and impacting health disparities among vulnerable populations.
Most US emergency departments (EDs) aren’t screening patients for social risks like housing instability or food insecurity, even though nearly all screen for issues like substance use and mental health, according...
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