Seeholzer EL, Santiago M, Thomas C, DeAngelis M, Scarl F, Webb A, Woods T, Sehgal AR. Prevalence of Social Determinants of Health Among Health System Employees.
J Prim Care Community Health 2022;
13:21501319221113956. [PMID:
35850615 PMCID:
PMC9310286 DOI:
10.1177/21501319221113956]
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Abstract
Introduction/Objectives:
Many health systems screen patients for social determinants of health and
refer patients with social needs to community service organizations for
assistance. However, little is known about social determinants of health
among health system employees. We sought to examine the prevalence of social
determinants among employees of The MetroHealth System, a large safety-net
health system in Cleveland, Ohio.
Methods:
We invited participants in an employee wellness program to answer the same
screening questions that patients answer about 9 social determinants of
health, including food insecurity, financial strain, transportation
difficulty, inability to pay for housing or utilities, intimate partner
violence, social isolation, infrequent physical activity, daily stress, and
lack of internet access. We then determined the percentage of employees who
met pre-defined criteria for being at risk for each social determinant. We
also examined how these percentages varied across employee job
categories.
Results:
Of 4191 full-time employees, 1932 (46%) completed the survey. The percentage
of employees at risk for each social determinant were: food insecurity
(11%), financial strain (12%), transportation difficulty (4%), inability to
pay for housing or utilities (10%), intimate partner violence (4%), social
isolation (48%), infrequent physical activity (10%), daily stress (58%), and
lack of internet access (3%). Being at risk for specific social determinants
was more common among support staff compared to staff physicians and nurses.
For example, the survey participants included 436 administrative support
staff, a job category that includes secretaries and patient service
representatives. Among this group, 20% reported food insecurity, 20%
financial strain, and 17% inability to pay for housing or utilities.
Conclusions:
Social determinants of health are common among health system employees,
especially among workers in lower paid job categories. Health systems should
routinely screen employees for social determinants and adjust salaries,
benefits, and assistance programs to address their social needs.
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