Background
Social determinants of health (SDOH)—also referred to as health-related social needs (HRSN)—are non-medical factors such as housing instability, food insecurity, and transportation barriers that significantly influence patients’ health outcomes and healthcare utilization. Recognizing their impact, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has mandated health systems to systematically screen and report SDOH to better address health inequities. While many health systems have rapidly integrated SDOH screening tools into clinical workflows, the data quality and clinical utility of these assessments remain underreported, constraining the broader translation of screening efforts into improved patient outcomes.
