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Are Healthcare Workers Ready to Tackle Social Determinants of Health? A Look at Current Practices and Preparedness
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:10pm - 2:25pm EDT
Athena C
Title: Are Healthcare Workers Ready to Tackle Social Determinants of Health? A Look at Current Practices and Preparedness
Author: Ariel Ford, Courtney E. Gamston, Lena McDowell, Lindsey Hohmann, Kimberly Braxton Lloyd
Background: Social determinants of health (SDoH) are non-medical factors that significantly impact health outcomes. A substantial portion of the United States adults have negative SDoH, or social risks, as reflected in key population statistics: 65.2 million live below or near the poverty line, with rural areas facing a higher poverty rate (15.4%) than the national average (12.8%) with a population of 46,108,315 living in rural areas. Additionally, 10.2% lack a high school diploma or equivalent and 26.2 million people of all ages are uninsured. A 2023 survey of Alabama pharmacists revealed that only 28% of their practice sites currently screen for SDoH, with most reporting discomfort and a lack of preparedness to assess and address these factors. This study aims to evaluate SDoH screening, referral practices, and provider readiness across healthcare disciplines in Alabama to inform strategies for improving current practices. 
Methods: A 2025 anonymous survey was distributed to pharmacists, physicians, and nurses in Alabama to assess how each profession currently addresses SDoH, including screening, referrals, and follow-ups. The survey also examined provider interest in screening and managing SDoH, previous training, and perceived comfort and preparedness in identifying social needs and connecting them with local resources. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize participants, practice settings, and current approaches. Comparisons across the three provider groups were conducted using ANOVA for continuous data and Chi-square analysis for categorical variables, offering a more comprehensive understanding of SDoH screening and referral practices in Alabama.
Results: In progress
Conclusion: In progress
Moderators
CP

Cristy Patille

Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, Population Health, Cone Health
Cristy Patille, PharmD, BCPS, CPP is a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at Cone Health on the Population Health Team, working as an embedded ambulatory care pharmacist in the primary care setting. Cristy received her undergraduate degree from University of Central Florida and her... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Ariel Ford

Ariel Ford

PGY1- Pharmacy Resident, Auburn University Clinical Health Services
Dr. Ariel Ford is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. She earned her master of science in health services administration    from Regis University in 2023 and went on to complete her Pharm.D. at Xavier University of Louisiana in 2024. She previously worked as a pharmacy intern at NOLA... Read More →
Evaluators
avatar for Carrington Royals

Carrington Royals

Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, THSC1Tandem Health-University of South CarolinaPGY1
Carrington Royals, PharmD is the family medicine clinical pharmacist at Tandem Health in Sumter, SC. Carrington completed the Tandem Health-University of South Carolina PGY1 Outpatient Focused residency program in 2022. She attended Campbell University for her undergraduate and graduate... Read More →
Thursday April 24, 2025 2:10pm - 2:25pm EDT
Athena C
  Ambulatory Care (AMB), Auburn University Clinical Health Services
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