Special issue: The role of health systems and community partners in addressing social needs of patients and communities

It is increasingly recognized that social risks, such as food insecurity or housing insecurity, are associated with suboptimal health care utilization and poorer health outcomes. As it is difficult to improve patient health without first addressing these health-related social needs, health care providers are increasingly considering if and how to address health-related social needs within health care settings, and how to best partner with community organizations to link patients with available resources and supports. Accompanying these growing initiatives is a growing need for evidence: what are promising practices or innovations that successfully address social needs or social issues of patients? What is the impact of these innovations on health? What doesn’t work? Where do opportunities remain? This special issue seeks to explore these questions through a series of research studies, articles of practice, and commentaries.