The Impact of Screening for Social Determinants of Health on Diabetes and Hypertension End Results
1Khadija Mushtaq, 2Dr Seema Yasmeen, 3Umar Ali, 4Mansoor Ali, 5Taimoor Ghori, 6Marwa Riaz
1Mayo Hospital Lahore
2Shahida Islam Medical and Dental College, Lodhran
3UHS Lahore
4UHS Lahore
5UHS Lahore
6UHS Lahore
Abstract
Background:
Social determinants of health includes housing, food security, education, and income play a crucial role in shaping health outcomes, particularly for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Screening for SDOH in clinical settings may help identify at-risk individuals and enable tailored interventions.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate the impact of systematic SDOH screening on clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes and hypertension.
Methods:
A cohort of patients attending primary care clinics was observed over 12 months. Half of the clinics implemented a standardized SDOH screening protocol and linked positive screens to social services. Clinical results including HbA1c and systolic or diastolic blood pressure were compared pre- and postintervention.
Results:
Patients in the SDOH-screened group showed statistically remarkable improvements in both HbA1c and blood pressure levels compared to the control group. The proportion of patients achieving guidelinerecommended targets increased notably.
Conclusion:
Routine screening for SDOH in clinical settings positively influences chronic disease management and may serve as a key strategy in reducing health disparities and improving population health outcomes. Keywords: SDOH, Blood pressure, chronic disease, population, clinical results