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High social risk burden in adults with IBD drives emergency care use and medication gaps—spotlighting the urgent need for social screening in clinical practice. 

The United States (US) National Health Interview Surveyed in the year 2023, published in the June 2025 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, determined the prevalence and impact of social risks on healthcare use among individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in the US.  

They analyzed data to estimate social risks across 6 domains—food insecurity, financial hardship, housing instability, transportation needs, education and employment, and discrimination—in adults with IBD. Social risk burden was categorized as none (0/6 domains), mild (1/6), moderate (2/6), and severe (≥3/6). Associations between social risk burden, unplanned healthcare use (emergency department visits and/or hospitalizations), and medication non-adherence were assessed, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, income, and comorbidities.  

The results showed that among 572 participants (mean age, 56 years; 57% female; 81% non-Hispanic Whites [NHWs], 12.9% Hispanic), 64% (95% CI, 59-69%) reported social risks in 1 or more domains, including food insecurity (22%), financial hardship (28%), housing instability (14%), transportation needs (9%), education and employment (9%), and discrimination (41%). Severe social risk prevalence was higher in racial and ethnic minorities (non-Hispanic Blacks 37%, Hispanics 28%, NHWs 12%). A greater social risk burden was linked to increased odds of unplanned healthcare utilization (severe vs none: OR, 3.5 [1.2-10.2]) and cost-related medication non-adherence (OR, 11.8 [2.7-52.1]), after adjusting for income and insurance status.  

Investigators concluded that social risks were common in adults with IBD, adversely affecting healthcare use and medication adherence. 

Source: cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(25)00460-4/abstract