Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Aarthi Arun, Manohar Prasad Prabhu
Summary: The social determinants of health, referring to non-medical factors that affect an individual's health outcomes, have gained increasing attention in public health. This study focuses on identifying the social and personal determinants that significantly impact women's wellbeing. Through a survey of 229 rural Indian women, we found that the most common reasons for their non-participation in a public health intervention aimed at improving maternal outcomes were lack of husband support, lack of family support, limited time, and migratory lifestyle. We also observed associations between determinants such as educational level, primigravida status, age, and joint family structure, and their likelihood of citing lack of support. These findings highlight the importance of addressing social factors including spousal and familial support, time constraints, and stable housing to improve healthcare access for rural women.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jessica Cantos-Egea, Jordi Tous-Pallares, Juana-Maria Tierno-Garcia
Summary: The increasing number of families facing social exclusion in Europe and its impact on health inequities present a challenge for studying the social determinants of health and formulating welfare and social inclusion policies. This study identifies risk factors and psychological and social well-being factors that affect self-perceived health in trajectories of social exclusion. The findings can be used to design psychoeducational programs and proactive policies to reduce health inequalities.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cici Bauer, Kehe Zhang, Miryoung Lee, Susan Fisher-Hoch, Esmeralda Guajardo, Joseph McCormick, Isela de la Cerda, Maria E. Fernandez, Belinda Reininger
Summary: This analysis explored the spatial patterns and contextual social determinants of health (SDOH) associated with COVID-19 incidence in a Hispanic population in Cameron County, Texas. Findings revealed that higher percentages of single-parent households and limited English proficiency were associated with higher relative incidence risks of COVID-19, while lower income and a younger population were associated with lower risks. The presence of a shelter-in-place policy significantly reduced the incidence risk of COVID-19.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Georgia Syrnioti, Claire M. Eden, Josh A. Johnson, Chase Alston, Antonia Syrnioti, Lisa A. Newman
Summary: Cancer is a major public health issue that is influenced by genetic aberrations as well as socioeconomic, environmental, and geographic factors. Inequality in healthcare delivery affects all aspects of cancer management. To address the unequal distribution of healthcare among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, the World Health Organization has defined social determinants of health.
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anne Christine Nordholm, Aase Bengaard Andersen, Christian Wejse, Anders Norman, Claus Thorn Ekstrom, Peter Henrik Andersen, Anders Koch, Troels Lillebaek
Summary: Even in resource-rich settings, socio-economic status plays a crucial role in driving disparities in tuberculosis (TB). A study conducted in Denmark found that lower socio-economic status, including factors such as household structure, education, employment, and income, was associated with higher TB risk. Social risk factors differed between ethnic Danes and migrants, with disability pension and cash benefits being key risk factors for Danes, while low income and cash benefits increased TB risk for migrants. Addressing these social risk factors is important for accelerating TB control and ending the TB epidemic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Sabu Kochupurackal Ulahannan, Prashanth N. Srinivas, Biju Soman
Summary: This study examined the complex interaction of structural inequalities, co-occurring health conditions, and child undernutrition among the Adivasi population in North Kerala, India. The findings revealed that the absence of a kitchen garden with fruits and vegetables, as well as a history of cough and fever, were associated with a higher risk of undernutrition in children. Case studies highlighted the multiple factors contributing to Adivasi child malnutrition, including unequal access to social capital, healthcare, and food security, as well as differences in hygiene practices due to lack of clean water and sanitation.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
M. Fontan-Vela, P. Gullon, U. Bilal, M. Franco
Summary: This study examined the relationship between social and ideological factors and COVID-19 vaccine accessibility and hesitancy in the Spanish adult population. The findings suggest that education level, political ideology, and perceived importance of economic impact of the pandemic are associated with vaccine hesitancy.
Article
Ophthalmology
Anand E. Rajesh, Oliver Davidson, Megan Lacy, Arthika Chandramohan, Aaron Y. Lee, Cecilia S. Lee, Knstina Tarczy-Hornoch
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic factors and pediatric strabismus diagnosis and outcomes. The study found that children covered by Medicaid insurance were more likely to have amblyopia and undergo strabismus surgery sooner after diagnosis, while Black, Hispanic, and Asian children were less likely to receive surgery and had a longer delay between diagnosis and surgery compared to White children. These results suggest that social factors such as insurance type and race may impact the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric strabismus.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sara F. Camilleri, Gaige Hunter Kerr, Susan C. Anenberg, Daniel E. Horton
Summary: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a regulated pollutant associated with various health impacts. Recent studies have found that NO2 exposure is linked to increased mortality, even at concentrations below regulatory thresholds. However, the specific mortality rates and disparities related to NO2 exposure in the United States have not been quantified. This study provides the first estimate of NO2-attributable all-cause mortality in the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) at the census tract-level. The results show a significant burden of NO2-related mortality in the U.S., particularly in marginalized communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tina Jahnel, Hans-Henrik Dassow, Ansgar Gerhardus, Benjamin Schuez
Summary: This article proposes a digital rainbow model that integrates digital determinants into the Dahlgren-Whitehead model, aiming to better understand the impact of digitization on health inequities and develop new research and logic models for public health interventions.
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Rachel Rowe
Summary: This paper discusses the 'Opioid360' platform launched by Google and Deloitte in the USA amidst the crisis of opioid-related overdose, as well as the platform's application in population health risk calculation. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the epistemological and political shift of the Big Data mode of risk calculation, as well as the re-emergence of social determinants of health in the rhetoric accompanying novel analytic platforms.
BIG DATA & SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mi Ah Han, Eu Chang Hwang, Jae Hung Jung, Seo-Hee Kim, Sun Mi Park
Summary: This study aims to systematically summarize the PAF estimates of modifiable cancer risk factors in Korea. By analyzing published papers, the study will provide reference for strategies to reduce the burden of cancer in the population.
Review
Neurosciences
Leslie W. Johnson, Isabella Diaz
Summary: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health concern that can have long-term physical, cognitive, and behavioral effects. The study aims to explore the social determinants of health (SDoH) and health disparities (HDs) associated with TBI in adults. A scoping review identified 27 studies, revealing race/ethnicity and insurance status as the most commonly reported SDoH impacting TBI. Health disparities were found across the continuum of TBI, with Whites more likely to be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation compared to racial/ethnic minorities.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephen Hunter, Gregory Farmer, Claire Benny, Brendan T. Smith, Roman Pabayo
Summary: Social fragmentation is associated with an increased hazard of deaths of despair among Canadian adults.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ace Vo, Youyou Tao, Yan Li, Abdulaziz Albarrak
Summary: This study examines the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) factors on population health outcomes at the census tract and city levels. The results show that SDOH factors have a significant impact on health outcomes, with variations among different city groups. Four SDOH risk factors, including asthma, kidney disease, smoking, and food stamps, have significant effects on health outcomes in all groups. The analysis suggests that population density and political affiliation are important factors in understanding how SDOH affects health outcomes.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jeffrey E. Hall, Ramal Moonesinghe, Karen Bouye, Ana Penman-Aguilar
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2019)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Man-Huei Chang, Ramal Moonesinghe, Lyna Z. Schieber, Benedict Truman
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Makram Talih, Ramal Moonesinghe, David T. Huang
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benedict Truman, Ramal Moonesinghe, Yolanda T. Brown, Man-Huei Chang, Jonathan H. Mermin, Hazel D. Dean
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Man-Huei Chang, Ramal Moonesinghe, Benedict Truman
Summary: This study used Medicare data from 2020 to assess the racial and geographical disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization rates among patients with chronic conditions. The results showed higher hospitalization rates in nonmetropolitan areas, and significant differences among different races and regions.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Man-Huei Chang, Ramal Moonesinghe, Benedict Truman
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries increased significantly. However, there are still gaps in accessing and using telehealth equipment. Patient characteristics such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and equipment availability are closely associated with telehealth usage.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Danielle Rasooly, Quanhe Yang, Ramal Moonesinghe, Muin J. Khoury, Chirag J. Patel
Summary: This study analyzed data from the US adult population and found that family history is associated with the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Participants with joint family history have a higher chance of having both diseases and are diagnosed with diabetes at an earlier age. Additionally, family history is also associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes risk factors and all-cause mortality.
PUBLIC HEALTH GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Man-Huei Chang, Ramal Moonesinghe, Benedict Truman
Summary: Changes in usage of emergency department (ED) among US Medicare beneficiaries (MB) for HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs or TB (HHST) services have not been assessed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from 2006-2020 and found that there were changes in ED usage among MB over time. The findings suggest the need for updated ED reimbursement policies and improved primary care practices among MB to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HHST conditions.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Lyna Z. Z. Schieber, Christopher Dunphy, Richard A. A. Schieber, Barbara Lopes-Cardozo, Ramal Moonesinghe, Gery P. P. Guy Jr
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of emergency department visits for psychiatric disorders and drug overdoses increased in the US. This study aimed to assess the association between comorbid psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders and the likelihood of hospitalization among COVID-19 patients in the emergency department.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emily Drzymalla, Ramal Moonesinghe, Katherine Kolor, Muin J. Khoury, Lyna Schieber, Adi V. Gundlapalli
Summary: This study analyzed COVID-19 outcomes among 853 adult primary immunodeficiency (PI) patients and 1,197,430 non-PI patients. The results showed that PI patients had higher odds of hospitalization, ICU admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death compared to non-PI patients. Additionally, PI patients spent more days in the hospital on average. This study provides real-world evidence that PI is a risk factor for adverse COVID-19 outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Man-Huei Chang, Ramal Moonesinghe, Benedict Truman
Summary: Based on Medicare data from 2020, our study found that Medicare beneficiaries with claims for HIV and depression were more likely to utilize healthcare services such as hospitalization, diagnostic services, drug treatment, and outpatient procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-White beneficiaries were more likely to be hospitalized but less likely to receive drug treatment, diagnostic services, or outpatient procedures. These findings highlight significant disparities in healthcare access and utilization by race/ethnicity among Medicare beneficiaries during a public health emergency.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benedict Truman, Man-Huei Chang, Ramal Moonesinghe
MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Man- Huei Chang, Ramal Moonesinghe, Benedict I. Truman
Summary: Published research has limited insights on the variation of HIV infection risk and injection drug use by urban or rural residence. Using 2020 Medicare claims data, this study found that urban residence was associated with higher odds of concurrent HIV infection and opioid use disorder, independent of demographic factors. It highlights the importance of considering the urban-rural divide when addressing HIV prevention and drug abuse issues.
JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Man-Huei Chang, Ramal Moonesinghe, Benedict I. Truman
Summary: The study examined the relationship between COVID-19 hospitalizations and chronic conditions among Medicare beneficiaries. Findings show that certain chronic conditions increased the risk of hospitalization, with disparities observed among different racial/ethnic groups, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in populations at higher risk.
JOURNAL OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Man-Huei Chang, Gloria L. Beckles, Ramal Moonesinghe, Benedict I. Truman
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE
(2019)