The Benefit of Social Needs Screening by Hospitals
Abstract
Background. Given evidence linking social determinants of health (SDoH) and health outcomes, hospitals are being encouraged to screen and address social needs as part of a holistic approach to care. Due to the cost involved, a lack of reimbursement, and available resources to address SDoH, hospitals’ participation in these efforts have been low. Further, the community impact of hospitals’ social needs screening efforts remains largely uncharacterized. Thus, this study seeks to assess the impact of hospitals’ social needs screening efforts on improving community health and reducing healthcare costs.
Methods. The 2021 American Hospital Association Survey data were used for this study. The survey contained information, as provided by hospital administrators, on hospitals' efforts to screen for social needs, the community benefit of such screening programs, and their impact on reducing healthcare costs. Two logistic regressions were run to assess whether hospital social needs screening was associated with (a) an improvement in the community’s health status and (b) reductions in healthcare cost while adjusting for hospital organizational and market factors.
Results. At least 50% of all urban (3,824), 52% of micro (807) and 38% of rural (1060) hospital respondents indicated screening for at least one social need. Results from the first logistic regression models showed that screening for 3 (OR=1.744 95CI, 1.22 – 2.48), 4 (OR=1.46 95CI 1.04- 2.04), and 5(OR=2.27, 95CI 1.68-3.07) social needs, compared to 1, was positively associated with reported improvements in community health status. Similarly, screening for 3 (OR=1.74, 95CI = 1.22-2.49), 4 (OR=1.46, 95CI=1.04-2.04) and 5 (OR=2.27, 95CI=1.68, 3.07) social needs, compared to 1, was associated with reported reductions in healthcare cost.
Conclusion. Screening for social services by hospitals is associated with community benefits, including improved community health status and lower healthcare expenses. Efforts to promote social services screening may lead to improved population health.
Keywords
SDoH, healthcare costs, community health
The Benefit of Social Needs Screening by Hospitals
Background. Given evidence linking social determinants of health (SDoH) and health outcomes, hospitals are being encouraged to screen and address social needs as part of a holistic approach to care. Due to the cost involved, a lack of reimbursement, and available resources to address SDoH, hospitals’ participation in these efforts have been low. Further, the community impact of hospitals’ social needs screening efforts remains largely uncharacterized. Thus, this study seeks to assess the impact of hospitals’ social needs screening efforts on improving community health and reducing healthcare costs.
Methods. The 2021 American Hospital Association Survey data were used for this study. The survey contained information, as provided by hospital administrators, on hospitals' efforts to screen for social needs, the community benefit of such screening programs, and their impact on reducing healthcare costs. Two logistic regressions were run to assess whether hospital social needs screening was associated with (a) an improvement in the community’s health status and (b) reductions in healthcare cost while adjusting for hospital organizational and market factors.
Results. At least 50% of all urban (3,824), 52% of micro (807) and 38% of rural (1060) hospital respondents indicated screening for at least one social need. Results from the first logistic regression models showed that screening for 3 (OR=1.744 95CI, 1.22 – 2.48), 4 (OR=1.46 95CI 1.04- 2.04), and 5(OR=2.27, 95CI 1.68-3.07) social needs, compared to 1, was positively associated with reported improvements in community health status. Similarly, screening for 3 (OR=1.74, 95CI = 1.22-2.49), 4 (OR=1.46, 95CI=1.04-2.04) and 5 (OR=2.27, 95CI=1.68, 3.07) social needs, compared to 1, was associated with reported reductions in healthcare cost.
Conclusion. Screening for social services by hospitals is associated with community benefits, including improved community health status and lower healthcare expenses. Efforts to promote social services screening may lead to improved population health.
