Advancing pediatric social care: A review of the evidence and roadmap for research, practice, and policy

Over the past decade, research and clinical innovations have advanced social care models in pediatric healthcare settings, yielding important lessons and illuminating critical gaps for further inquiry. In this review, we synthesize the state of the science in pediatric social care and offer recommendations for practice, research, and policy. In practice, social care models must be rooted in the existing evidence-base, ensuring that implementation reflects what is known to be effective while remaining adaptable to emerging insights. The next phase of research should develop patient-and family-centered outcome measures and contextually sensitive strategies that center family priorities and local realities. Implementation science, equity-driven frameworks, and rigorous evaluation in social care research will be essential to ensuring that resulting social care practices are not only effective but also sustainable and scalable. At the policy level, redirecting incentives toward addressing social needs—not merely screening— and strengthening social safety-net programs will be critical to achieving meaningful impact. The integration of social care into pediatric practice is imperative to improve child health, population health, and equity. By grounding efforts in evidence and advocating for comprehensive social supports, pediatricians can help transform social care from a promising innovation into a standard of high-quality, equitable healthcare.