CRHC to Implement Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Questionnaire to Patients
Please read guidance provided by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
Health comes in all forms including physical, mental, and social well-being.
You may have heard about Social Determinants of Health in the news recently and the federal mandate from CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) regarding a Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool……. but what is it?
This is a group of questions to screen for safety, living conditions, educational needs, economic status, access to quality healthcare, and other situations that may affect a person's overall health. Once identified, Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) can assist in finding resources and help patients overcome some of these barriers.
Examples of questions you might be asked during admission may include:
- How hard is it for you to pay for the very basics like food, housing, medical care, and heating?
- In the past 12 months, has lack of reliable transportation kept you from medical appointments, meetings, work or from getting things needed for daily living?
- Within the past 12 months, you worried that your food would run out before you got money to buy more?
- How often does anyone, including family and friends, physically hurt you?
- How often do you feel lonely or isolated from those around you?
- Do you speak a language other than English at home?
- Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, do you have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?
Of course, a patient has the right to refuse to answer any of the questions.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Maggie Brown at 712-542-8207 or mbrown@clarindahealth.com.
Sources:
Healthy People 2030 | health.gov
The AHC Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool (cms.gov)
Social Determinant of Health: Education Is Crucial (tulane.edu)





