Screening for social needs to improve chronic disease care for families

The WE CARE study is testing a new approach to helping patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and depression. The study focuses on screening patients for social needs—like food insecurity, housing, and transportation—and connecting them to helpful resources. The researchers are also working to address racism and discrimination in healthcare to make sure all families, especially families of color, receive fair and equal care.

People with chronic diseases often struggle with social challenges like poverty, lack of stable housing, and limited access to transportation—and these challenges make their diseases harder to manage. This study exists because the researchers want to test whether screening for these social needs and providing referrals to community resources can improve health outcomes, especially for families who have experienced discrimination in healthcare.