Access and Health Equity
Why your care team asks about more than symptoms
Questions about food, housing, and transportation can feel personal. Here is why clinics ask and how the answers can help.
By OLWF Editorial Team 2 min read
The questions you may hear
At some visits, you may be asked questions like these:
- In the past year, did you worry about running out of food?
- Do you have a safe and stable place to live?
- Has a lack of transportation kept you from a medical visit?
These are sometimes called social needs questions. They ask about things in daily life that affect health.
Why they matter
Health depends on more than medicine. It is hard to follow a diet plan if healthy food is far away. It is hard to keep a follow-up visit without a ride. Your care team cannot help with what they do not know about.
What can happen next
If you share a need, your care team may:
- Connect you with a social worker or community health worker.
- Share local programs for food, rides, or help with bills.
- Change your care plan so it fits your life better.
You decide what to share
You do not have to answer every question. It is okay to ask:
- Why are you asking this?
- Who will see my answers?
- What help is available if I say yes?
The bottom line
These questions are a way to see the whole person. Sharing what gets in the way can open doors to real help.