Community Pediatrics
Emergency Medicine
General Pediatrics
Health Equity/Social Determinants of Health
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Highlighted Theme: Racism in Research and Medical Care
Melissa Pawelczak, MD
Assistant Dean of the Advanced Clinical Experience
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
BETHPAGE, New York, United States
It has been said, “Your zip code is a better predictor of your health than your genetic code.” Only 20% of a person’s health is related to healthcare. The remaining 80% is determined by socioeconomic factors, physical environment, and health behaviors, also known as social determinants of health (SDOH), which are all affected by inequities. In the U.S., such inequities are largely related to structural racism. At the peak of COVID-19 prevalence in New York City, a syndemic emerged consisting of the confluence of the virus, chronic conditions that make individuals more susceptible to poor outcomes, and deepening poverty and inequity. We seek to describe the root causes of the syndemic, its likely impact on the health of the pediatric population not directly affected by COVID-19, and the need to screen for SDOH in Pediatric Emergency Departments (EDs) to abate future poor outcomes. It is impossible to treat patients without understanding the physiology of the organs of the human body. It is now evident that we also cannot adequately begin treating patients until we also understand their SDOH. We will discuss practical SDOH screening approaches to improve emergency pediatric patient care, including the success and challenges of current efforts at our institution using Health Leads. By advocating for health care providers to address SDOH in the ED and thereby practice “Social Emergency Medicine,” we urge colleagues to develop systematic interventions, measure their effects, collaborate with others, and promote policies that will improve the health of our patients.
Speaker: Melissa Pawelczak, MD – Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Speaker: Anita Pillai, MD – Cohen Children's Medical Center
Speaker: Ronak A. Patel, MD – Cohen Children's Medical Center/Northwell Health