68% of patients face social determinants of health challenges, 3 other survey findings

Most patients face challenges related to social determinants of health, but many have not sought help in identifying and addressing their risks, according to a survey from Waystar, a revenue cycle technology provider.

The survey asked 500 U.S. consumers about their attitudes on social determinants of health categories such as financial security, food insecurity, social isolation, housing insecurity, addiction, transportation access and health literacy.

Four findings:

1. Sixty-eight percent of respondents have challenges in at least one social determinants of health category, and more than half (52 percent) are considered moderate to high risk in at least one category.

2. Respondents with Medicare and Medicaid were more likely than respondents with commercial insurance to have high stress in three or more social determinants of health areas (33 percent vs. 21 percent).

3. Only 22 percent of respondents with social determinants of health risk have talked to their physician about the issues.

4. Among patients offered programs and services to help address social determinants of health challenges, 46 percent did not accept. But respondents who did discuss their challenges with a physician or nurse were 2.5 times more willing to accept assistance compared to those who discussed issues with an insurance representative.

Access the full survey results here.

 

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