Recognizing Social Determinants of Health at Well-Child Care Visits

Screening for social determinants of health and providing referrals to community resources for unmet needs increased family's enrollment in these resources.

Social determinants of a child's health and development include child care, food security, household heat, housing, parent education, and parent employment. Screening for them at well-child care visits can be effective for identifying need (NEJM JW Pediatric Adolesc Med Nov 19 2014). In a cluster-randomized, controlled trial at eight urban community health centers, mothers of 336 healthy infants were recruited at well-child visits. Mothers at four centers received a standardized questionnaire to identify need for the above-mentioned social determinants and were asked if they wanted assistance with unmet needs. An information sheet listing free community resources for each need was placed in exam rooms. Families at the four control health ce…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Recognizing Social Determinants of Health at Well-Child Care Visits

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Reviewing Author