A systematic review published on November 11, 2025, in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that social needs programs targeting smaller populations significantly improve patient screening outcomes. Researchers led by Eva Chang, Ph.D., M.P.H., from the Advocate Aurora Research Institute in Milwaukee, assessed the effectiveness of these programs in primary care settings.
The review examined 23 studies, with 17 specifically investigating screening outcomes. Among these, 11 studies focused on populations with particular health conditions or healthcare usage, while six examined the general population. The findings indicate that programs aiming to screen fewer than 500 patients with specific health conditions demonstrated higher screening rates. These programs also benefited from additional support via staff or volunteers.
In terms of reported social needs, the review indicated a notable range, with a prevalence of needs reported between 10.1% and 100% of patients screened. Additionally, assistance or resources were documented in 11 studies, with those targeting smaller populations showing a higher percentage of patients receiving help.
The researchers noted that while clinical and healthcare usage outcomes were reported in a limited number of studies, the results showed mixed findings. They emphasized the importance of sharing best practices among healthcare systems to facilitate the effective implementation of social needs screening and intervention programs.
The systematic review underscores a critical opportunity for healthcare providers to enhance support for patients by focusing on targeted social needs initiatives. The authors concluded that systematic evaluations and the exchange of successful strategies could further optimize these programs.
For more detailed insights, readers may refer to the original study by Eva Chang and colleagues in the Annals of Internal Medicine (DOI: 10.7326/annals-25-00308) and the commentary by Amy Shaheen titled “Mind the Gaps: The Missing Links in Social Needs Screening” (DOI: 10.7326/annals-25-03979).
