Call to Action: Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Pharmacy Practice

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Social Epidemiology

Background:

• Social determinants of health (SDOH) encompass environmental and social conditions influencing health outcomes.
• SDOH act as significant barriers to healthcare access and are linked to adverse health conditions and poorer outcomes.
• Current screening for SDOH in traditional healthcare settings like physician practices and hospitals remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of social determinants of health on patient health outcomes.
• To explore the potential for pharmacists to integrate SDOH screening into their practice.
• To identify opportunities for pharmacists to address social needs and improve patient health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on SDOH.
• Analysis of pharmacist accessibility and patient relationships as a platform for screening.
• Conceptual framework development for integrating SDOH screening in pharmacy settings.

Main Results:

• SDOH significantly influence health, functioning, and overall outcomes.
• Pharmacists are uniquely positioned due to accessibility and patient trust to conduct SDOH screenings.
• Existing screening rates in physician practices and hospitals are low, highlighting a gap in care.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacists represent a vital, underutilized resource for identifying and addressing SDOH.
• Integrating SDOH screening into pharmacy practice can mitigate health disparities and improve patient well-being.
• Further research and implementation strategies are needed to embed SDOH screening in community pharmacies.