Researchers Examine Social Determinants of Health Screening Tools Used at Arkansas Health Facilities
| A coalition of researchers, led by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, conducted a survey that examined how Arkansas health care facilities screen for and respond to social determinants of health.
Social determinants of health are non-medical factors that influence a person’s health, well-being and quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the determinants include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political structures.
“There is growing recognition of the importance of social determinants of health in population health with new regulations being considered at the state and federal levels,” said Mick Tilford, Ph.D., professor for the UAMS College of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Management. “The study was necessary to understand the current state of screening for social determinants of health in Arkansas and barriers to screening and referring patients for social services that could improve population health.”
The project, which ran from October 2024 to November 2025, required expertise in the realms of survey development, survey administration, survey analysis and data interpretation. The UAMS College of Public Health collaborated with the Arkansas Department of Health’s Arkansas State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE), the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to operate the survey.
A total of 145 facilities — representing 48 of Arkansas’ 75 counties — participated in the survey, which SHARE funded via a $200,000 contract.
Of the organizations that responded to the survey, 87% reported screening patients for social determinants of health-related needs. The most common difficulties are food insecurity, housing issues and transportation issues. While providers screen at a high rate, there is a gap in referring patients for services and providing services directly.
In Arkansas, social determinants of health typically have the biggest effect on people who have a limited income and individuals who reside in rural areas.
The researchers determined that health care systems factor greatly in identifying Arkansans in need of community supports and social services. However, providers face numerous barriers in addressing the determinants themselves. The most pressing challenge is ensuring follow-up on identified needs.
“Providers recognize the importance of addressing social determinants of health but lack sufficient resources and partnerships to improve the coordination of social services,” Tilford said. “Our survey findings could potentially lead to the development of new policies and collaborations that would improve population health in Arkansas.”
Anne Santifer, director of SHARE, said the survey identifying social needs is an important first step. However, the survey can also help to coordinate care to help address the shortcomings.
“The real challenge is connecting that information across systems so providers can coordinate care, close referral gaps and follow patients beyond the point of screening. This survey gives SHARE and its partners actionable insight into where better data sharing and interoperability can make the biggest impact.”
Justin Villines, SHARE health program manager, said the survey is critical to data being collected and used to improve care.
“This survey shines a light on where providers are succeeding and where more support is needed,” Villines said. “By connecting health systems and facilitating data sharing, SHARE helps communities respond more effectively to the social needs that affect health outcomes.”
The research team administered the survey with the initial goal to understand what tools and systems providers are using to screen patients for social determinants of health. They also wanted to explore opportunities to connect those data sources. However, once the study commenced, the group recognized that it was also a great opportunity to develop a broader picture of provider behaviors, challenges and capacity around social determinants of health screening and referrals.
The results offer a valuable statewide resource for understanding non-medical barriers that contribute to poor health outcomes, avoidable hospital use and rising health care costs.
“This survey provides Arkansas with a clearer picture of where social needs are most prevalent and how health care systems are struggling to respond,” Tilford said. “With stronger, more coordinated social determinants of health data the state can better target resources, strengthen care coordination, and improve outcomes.”
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,553 students and 902 medical residents and fellows. It is the state’s largest public employer with about 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.###