AJPM Focus (Feb 2025)
The Association Between a Summary Measure of Social Determinants of Health/Health Equity and Cardiovascular Disease Burden Among Mississippi Adults
Abstract
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among Mississippi adults. Social determinants of health are significant contributors to cardiovascular disease risk and associated mortality as well as health disparities. The authors examined the association between a summary measure of social determinants of health and cardiovascular disease among Mississippi adults. Methods: Using the social determinants of health and health equity module data from 3,994 respondents to the 2022 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, the authors conducted multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between cardiovascular disease and a social determinants of health/health equity summary measure. Results: Participants who received food stamps or were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (AOR=2.28; 95% CI=1.35, 3.86), experienced food insecurity (AOR=1.74; 95% CI=1.08, 2.79), and experienced mental distress (AOR=2.39; 95% CI=1.54, 3.73) had significantly higher odds of cardiovascular disease than their counterparts without any of these factors. Mississippi adults experiencing 4 or more of social determinants of health/health equity risk factors had a 2.56 (AOR=2.56; 95% CI=1.49, 4.41) higher odds of cardiovascular disease than those experiencing no social determinants of health/health equity risk factors. Conclusions: Mississippi adults with 4 or more social determinants of health/health equity risk factors had significantly higher odds of cardiovascular disease than those with no social determinants of health/health equity risk factors. These findings highlight the importance of social determinants of health/health equity factors in cardiovascular disease burden and suggest that interventions targeted at individuals with multiple social determinants of health/health equity risk factors are needed to reduce the high burden of cardiovascular disease among Mississippi adults.