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There’s a growing body of research that affirms what Geneia’s nurses have long known. What happens outside of a patient’s clinical care – where a patient lives, what they eat and whether they have a support system – all have a tremendous impact on patient health. In fact, research suggests medical care accounts for only 10 – 20 percent of health outcomes while the other 80 – 90 percent are attributed to environmental and socioeconomic factors and individual behavior, collectively known as social determinants of health (SDoH).
Social Determinants of Health Research
Physicians too know the importance of social determinants. A recent Leavitt Partners study of physician attitudes about SDoH found:
- Transportation: 66 percent of physicians believe assistance arranging healthcare transportation helps patients
- Housing: 45 percent say affordable housing aids patients
- Food: 48 percent believe getting sufficient food benefits patients
- Income: 54 percent consider income assistance a help to patients
- Healthcare pricing: 75 percent say patients benefit from information about the price of healthcare and health insurance