What is PREPARE?

• A. It is a dietary assessment tool.
• B. It is a radiology protocol.
• C. It is a standardized SDOH screening tool assessing social risks.
• D. It is a clinical lab panel.

Answer: (C)

PREPARE is a standardized screening tool used in healthcare to identify social determinants of health and related social risks that can influence a patient’s health and care needs. By asking a concise set of questions about housing stability, food security, transportation, utilities, safety, stress, social support, and access to education or employment, it helps clinicians uncover risks such as homelessness, food insecurity, or lack of social support. The information gathered guides referrals to social services, community resources, or care coordination, and supports consistent data collection across settings. It is not a dietary assessment tool, a radiology protocol, or a clinical lab panel, which focus on nutrients, imaging procedures, and laboratory tests, respectively.