Social determinants of health encompass the environments in which people live, learn, play, and work. |
Five domains of social determinants are economic stability, education, health care access, neighborhood environment, and social context. |
All five domains are relevant to vision outcomes and access to eye care. |
Ophthalmologists can take action on social determinants through awareness (screening for social needs), assistance (connecting patients with social care resources), adjustment (altering clinical care in recognition of social needs), alignment (understanding social assets and collaborating with community organizations), and advocacy (promoting policies to address social needs). |
Introduction
Social Determinants of Vision Health
Economic Stability
Income
Employment
Food Security
Education Access and Quality
Education Level
Health Literacy
Health Care Access and Quality
Insurance and Costs of Care
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Social and Community Context
How Ophthalmologists Can Take Action to Address Social Needs
Activity | Definition | Example actions |
---|---|---|
Awareness | Activities that identify the social risks of patients and populations | Use a standardized screening tool to assess social needs Integrate social screening results into the electronic health record to facilitate referrals |
Assistance | Activities that reduce social risk by providing assistance in connecting patients with social resources | Provide financial assistance to those who report challenges with medical costs Connect patients with community resources for needs like housing, food, and transportation Refer patients to a social worker or patient navigator who could act as a liaison between community resources and patient needs |
Adjustment | Activities that focus on altering clinical care to accommodate identified social barriers | Offer evening and weekend services Utilize telemedicine in appropriate settings for those with transportation challenges Provide patient education materials that are written at an accessible level for those with low health literacy |
Alignment | Activities taken by health care systems to understand existing social care assets in the community and to coordinate services to promote a shared goal to create positive health outcomes | Accept Medicaid insurance Partner with local organizations and clinics to offer vision screenings and to engage in community outreach |
Advocacy | Activities in which health care organizations work with partner social care organizations to promote policies that facilitate the creation and implementation of resources to address health and social needs | Advocate for federal, state, and local policies that advance access to eye care Promote investment in research in health disparities and community-engaged research |