Improving child health by screening for social risks in hospitals
Social Risk Screening and Referral Implementation for All Pediatric Hospitals – The SOCIAL-H Study
This study is looking at how to better support kids in the hospital by checking for social challenges they might face at home, so we can connect their families with helpful community resources to improve their health and well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11054434 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on integrating social risk screening into pediatric hospital care to identify and address social determinants that negatively impact child health. By implementing a systematic approach to screen for social risks during hospital stays, the study aims to connect families with community resources that can help improve their overall well-being. The methodology involves using implementation science to evaluate how effectively these screenings can be integrated into routine pediatric care, ultimately aiming to enhance health equity and reduce hospital utilization for vulnerable children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are hospitalized and may be facing social adversities.
Not a fit: Patients who are not hospitalized or do not face any social risks may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for children by ensuring they receive necessary support for social challenges during hospital stays.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that social risk screening in outpatient settings can improve child health outcomes, suggesting potential success for similar approaches in inpatient settings.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leary, Jana — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Leary, Jana
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.