RISE looks at recent headlines concerning social determinants of health (SDoH).
CDC study: Racial gap in stroke-related deaths widened during pandemic
Racial health disparities in U.S. stroke death rates have worsened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For the study, researchers looked at the stroke mortality for Black and white adults aged 35 and older both before and during the pandemic.
While stroke death rates increased during the pandemic among both Black and white adults, the difference between the two groups increased by nearly 22 percent compared to the pre-pandemic period dating back to 2015. Researchers found the rate of excess stroke deaths during the pandemic to be higher among Black adults (9.4 percent more than expected) compared to white adults (6.9 percent more than expected).
To address the longstanding disparities, and setbacks to any progress previously made, the research team called for more tailored stroke prevention efforts that take SDoH into consideration.
“Further studies are needed to identify and evaluate the underlying risk factors, including stress-related factors such as economic strain, poor mental health, and social determinants of health that might have contributed to the widened disparity between Black and white adults in stroke mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote researchers. “Tailored interventions to improve the prevention, control and management of risk factors, system-based stroke care, and structural changes addressing racial disparities in health care might be required to effect lasting change.”
Suspected suicide attempts spike among U.S. children
Youth mental health has taken a staggering hit during the pandemic, according to a new study from the CDC on suicide attempts by self-poisoning among individuals aged 10-19. Using the National Poison Data System database, researchers examined trends in suspected suicide attempts among the age group before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RELATED: SDoH in the news: Rapid increase in children in ER with suicidal thoughts
The study revealed that:
- In 2021, the overall rate of suspected suicide attempts by self-poisoning increased 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019.
- There was a 73 percent increase among children 10-12 years old.
- There was a 48.8 percent increase among teens 13-15 years old.
- Rates among females increased 36.8 percent.
- The most common substances involved in the overdoses included acetaminophen, ibuprofen, sertraline, fluoxetine, and diphenhydramine.
- Acetaminophen-involved overdoses increased by 71 percent in 2022.
“An urgent need exists to strengthen programs focused on identifying and supporting persons at risk for suicide, especially young persons,” wrote researchers, calling for an immediate increase in collaborative efforts between schools, families, mental health professionals, and public health leaders to better support youth at risk of suicide.
RELATED: CDC report underscores urgent mental health crisis among teens
Study reveals the impacts of different SDoH
A recent study, conducted by Humana in partnership with researchers from the University of California San Diego and published in JAMA Network Open, found certain SDoH to be associated with poorer health care quality, whereas other SDoH were linked to increased acute care utilization.
Using survey data from Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes, the research team analyzed the health-related social needs (HRSN) of the study population associated with health care quality and utilization. Of the 21, 528 beneficiaries included in the study, 56.9 percent had at least one HRSN, with the most common SDoH including financial strain (73.6 percent), food insecurity (47.5 percent), poor housing quality (39.1 percent), and utility insecurity (19.1 percent).
According to the findings, loneliness, lack of transportation, and housing insecurity were all associated with lower diabetes medication adherence. Loneliness and lack of transportation were also linked to an increase in emergency visits. Of the SDoH examined in the study, food insecurity was most consistently associated with increased acute care utilization such as emergency visits.
Connecting patients who struggle with one or more SDoH is key to lessening the impact of the unmet social needs, according to the research team. “Community-based organizations and health systems can coordinate activities and cross-sector communication to expand opportunities for community members to reduce HRSNs and increase opportunities for healthy lifestyles,” researchers wrote, who also recommended health policy changes such as the expansion of innovative payment models for practitioners in vulnerable communities, the utilization of community health workers, and increased flexibility for plans to offer supplemental benefits to their members.