A provider wants to capture non-clinical factors that impact its patient population, such as food...

The correct approach is to use the Social Determinants data model in Health Cloud and extend it as needed. Social Determinants of Health represent non-clinical social and environmental factors that affect a patient or member’s wellness, such as food insecurity, transportation barriers, housing instability, and socioeconomic conditions. Salesforce Trailhead explains that the Social Determinants data model gives care teams insight into a patient’s physical environment and socioeconomic status, helping them identify intervention tasks and reduce care barriers. Salesforce developer documentation also describes the model as representing barriers, health determinants, and interventions for a patient or member. A custom entity should not be the first choice because Health Cloud already provides a purpose-built data model. The Care Plan and EHR models address clinical care, not broad non-clinical determinants.