Document Type
Poster
Presentation Date
2-5-2025
Abstract
Introduction
Identification of cancer patients’ unmet health-related social needs (HRSNs) is key to overcoming barriers, improving well-being and outcomes in oncologic care. Numerous national organizations have called for integration of HRSN screening into routine practice.1
Objective
Results from the implementation of HRSN electronic health record-integrated screening into the ambulatory oncology setting.
Methods
A sample of 3,617 cancer patients in active treatment from April – June 2024 were screened, utilizing the Health Leads tool,2 across eight HRSN domains: (1) transportation, (2) food, (3) housing, (4) utilities, (5) social isolation, (6) interpersonal safety, financial resource strain related to (7) appointments and (8) medications.
Results
Cancer patients most frequently endorsed social needs related to transportation access (7.2%) and social isolation (6.3%). Unmet needs with food insecurity, housing stability, utility needs, and financial resource strain domains ranged from 3.1-3.6% of the patient screened.
Over 2/3 of active cancer treatment patients were screened in all domains. Interpersonal safety was the most screened domain (98.2%), <1% of the patients noted concerns in this area.
Conclusions
Cancer patients most frequently endorsed social needs related to transportation access (7.2%) and social isolation (6.3%). Unmet needs with food insecurity, housing stability, utility needs, and financial resource strain domains ranged from 3.1-3.6% of the patient screened. Over 2/3 of active cancer treatment patients were screened in all domains. Interpersonal safety was the most screened domain (98.2%), <1% of the patients noted concerns in this area.
Key Message
HRSNs have surfaced as a critical element in the oncology ecosystem, providing a framework for understanding the social aspects of care. HRSNs are dynamic, often exacerbated by a cancer diagnosis while simultaneously impacting access to care, patient experience, and treatment outcomes.
Reference
1. Nuruzzaman N, Broadwin M, Kourouma K, Olson DP. Making the Social Determinants of Health a Routine Part of Medical Care. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 2015;26(2):321-327. doi:10.1353/hpu.2015.0036
2. Health Leads, Inc. Health Leads Social Needs Screening Toolkit. Published online 2018.
Recommended Citation
Cammy, MSW, LCSW, Rebecca, "Deeper Than Disease: Uncovering Health-Related Social Needs Through Screening and Reporting" (2025). Kimmel Cancer Center Papers, Presentations, and Grand Rounds. Paper 78.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/kimmelgrandrounds/78
Language
English
Comments
Presented at the 2025 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Annual Assembly.