How social and behavioral factors affect high-risk Veterans' health
Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health in High-Risk Veterans
Researchers will look at how housing instability, food insecurity, social isolation, and other social factors relate to health and health care use for Veterans at high risk of hospitalization.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11305201 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project combines results from a prior survey of high-risk Veterans with a new, nationally representative survey to measure a wide range of social needs such as housing, food, transportation, and social support. The team will link survey answers to VA health records and hospital use to see which social factors are tied to worse outcomes and higher use of services. They will also conduct interviews with Veterans and VA staff to identify barriers to collecting and acting on these social needs in clinical settings. Stakeholders will use the findings to recommend a short set of patient-reported social measures for integration into the VA electronic health record.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are U.S. Veterans who receive VA care, especially those at high risk for hospitalization or who face social challenges like unstable housing, food insecurity, or limited transportation.
Not a fit: People who are not Veterans or who do not receive care through the VA are unlikely to be eligible or to see direct benefits from this VA-focused effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead the VA to routinely identify Veterans' social needs in the medical record so clinicians can better connect patients with supports that improve care and outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown social needs affect health and some health systems have begun screening, but selecting and implementing a standardized set of measures across the VA is a newer and less-tested step.
Where this research is happening
Palo Alto, United States
- Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys — Palo Alto, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zulman, Donna Michelle — Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Zulman, Donna Michelle
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.