Relationship between a comprehensive social determinants of health screening and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Social determinants of health are conditions that influence an individual’s health. Investigators explored associations between social needs and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) diagnoses through retrospective chart review (October 2017-Septemeber 2018) and statistical analyses of an 11-domain social needs questionnaire routinely administered in a large health system in Kansas City, Kansas (n = 26,093, temporal relationship between diagnoses and screening undetermined). Except for childcare needs, all social needs were more commonly reported in patients with a T2DM diagnosis. Domains with the strongest associations were prescription cost, transportation, and health literacy. These findings may inform health system and social service provider partnerships to offer assistance in specific domains.