Health systems usually focus on treating diseases at the doctor’s office to get people well. But, in recent years, billions of private and public health dollars have been funneled toward programs to meet people’s social needs like food and housing before they get really sick.
It sounds like a great idea, but a slew of new research on these social needs programs shows that the results – so far – are mixed at best. WHYY reporter Sojourner Ahebee has this look.
This story comes from NPR’s partnership with WHYY and Kaiser Health News.
(Original air-date: 7/13/21)