Open AccessIdentify Social Determinants of Health Related to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions: Decreasing Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits
Author(s) -
Maria Gjini,
Nasim Khan,
Gjovana Vuljaj,
Adriana Stefanovski,
Abbey Kaminski,
Briella Weber,
Caress Dean
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
research directs in health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2768-492X
DOI - 10.53520/rdhs2022.10428
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , medicine , ambulatory care , odds , social determinants of health , logistic regression , descriptive statistics , ambulatory , emergency department , environmental health , public health , odds ratio , population , health equity , health care , gerontology , demography , nursing , economic growth , economics , sociology , statistics , mathematics , pathology
Introduction: Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) have been linked to higher emergency room and hospitalization rates. Research suggests social determinants of health (SDOH) may play a role; however, there is a limited understanding of the relationship between ACSCs and SDOH. This study's objective was to examine the relationship between structural and intermediary SDOH and chronic ACSC status among United States adults (U.S.).Methods: Data were drawn from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Surveillance System for 12 states and U.S. territories that completed the SDOH module (N= 111,828). Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis identified SDOH associated with a chronic ACSC status.Results: More than 45% of participants had a chronic ACSC. Individuals with ACSCs had higher odds of reporting their neighborhood as unsafe (AOR=1.25; 95%CI=1.05-1.49) than those who reported their neighborhood as extremely safe. Similarly, participants with ACSCs were significantly more likely to report challenges paying their utilities/rent/mortgage (AOR=1.18; 95%CI=1.03-1.36) than to report not experiencing challenges. Conclusions: To address chronic ACSCs, intersectoral public policies are warranted to diminish educational inequalities and racial disparities. This population would also benefit from community-based interventions that connect them to local resources that reduce stress and improve their financial stability and neighborhood safety level.