Diabetes is a condition that has many variables. Researchers are finding more and more about how genetics and patient behavior play a role; however, it turns out that socioeconomic status, education, and ethnic background all play a role as well.
On Monday afternoon, Jessica Robbins, PhD, member of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Adjunct Professor at Drexel, presented on the role of socioeconomic status in diabetes risk and outcomes. The overarching framework used for this discussion was the social ecological framework. Dr. Robbins presented alarming data regarding the disparity of diabetes prevalence both in terms of racial background and socioeconomic status. Here are some of the general observations that Dr. Robbins presented along with references to both local and national studies:
- The African American population continues to show more susceptibility to diabetes than non-Hispanic whites, and this pattern is consistent across many studies
- Household income is an excellent predictor of diabetes prevalence; households with $50,000/year in income had half as much a rate of incidence (5%) as those which have $35,000/year (10%)
- Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities (EHDIC) Study found that whites and African Americans in integrated communities had similar odds of having diabetes, despite substantial racial/ethnic disparities at the population level
- Diabetes disparities are greater in women than men, both in terms of racial background and socioeconomic status
- Disparities decline by age, especially among the very old, although this may reflect measuring issues
- Some studies have found that those who go to college have the lowest risk of contracting diabetes, both in racial and gender groups
- The DISTANCE cohort study (Kaiser Permanente Southern California) found disparities in glycemic control and other intermediate clinical outcomes were associated with the socioeconomic status of patients’ area of residence
Although there have been numerous studies conducted to analyze the various factors that are associated with diabetes, there still remains widespread debate as to which factors are more revealing than others, especially when considering that many of these factors are interrelated. However, Dr. Robbins concluded by saying that the effects of socioeconomic status on diabetes outcomes are without question “big, not inevitable, and unacceptable.”
For more information on this session, please visit the American Diabetes Association’s website.
Social Epidemiology of Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that has many variables. Researchers are finding more and more about how genetics and patient behavior play a role; however, it turns out that socioeconomic status, education, and ethnic background all play a role as well.
Diabetes is a condition that has many variables. Researchers are finding more and more about how genetics and patient behavior play a role; however, it turns out that socioeconomic status, education, and ethnic background all play a role as well.
On Monday afternoon, Jessica Robbins, PhD, member of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Adjunct Professor at Drexel, presented on the role of socioeconomic status in diabetes risk and outcomes. The overarching framework used for this discussion was the social ecological framework. Dr. Robbins presented alarming data regarding the disparity of diabetes prevalence both in terms of racial background and socioeconomic status. Here are some of the general observations that Dr. Robbins presented along with references to both local and national studies:
Although there have been numerous studies conducted to analyze the various factors that are associated with diabetes, there still remains widespread debate as to which factors are more revealing than others, especially when considering that many of these factors are interrelated. However, Dr. Robbins concluded by saying that the effects of socioeconomic status on diabetes outcomes are without question “big, not inevitable, and unacceptable.”
For more information on this session, please visit the American Diabetes Association’s website.
ATS 2024: Bridging the Past, Present, and Future of Respiratory Care
May 16th 2024The application of artificial intelligence in medicine is anticipated as a highlight of ATS 2024, with sessions exploring its applications in research, radiological interpretation, and pediatric pulmonology.
Read More
The Importance of Examining and Preventing Atrial Fibrillation
August 29th 2023At this year’s American Society for Preventive Cardiology Congress on CVD Prevention, Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, delivered the Honorary Fellow Award Lecture, “The Imperative to Focus on the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation,” as the recipient of this year’s Honorary Fellow of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology award.
Listen
Real-World Evidence Evolves With the Tools and the Times, Flatiron’s Adamson Explains
May 15th 2024Read More
Promoting Equity in Public Health: Policy, Investment, and Community Engagement Solutions
June 28th 2022On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Georges C. Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association, on the core takeaways of his keynote session at AHIP 2022 on public health policy and other solutions to promote equitable health and well-being.
Listen
AUA 2024: Disrupting the Field of Urology
May 10th 2024Speakers at the 2024 American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting highlighted the innovations and advancements that are pushing the field of urology forward.
Read More
Posters Characterize DMD Caregiver Experiences, Impact of Gene Therapy on Caregiving Demands
May 10th 2024Posters presented at the ISPOR—The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research meeting explored Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) caregiver experiences and gene therapy’s impact on work opportunities for caregivers.
Read More
ATS 2024: Bridging the Past, Present, and Future of Respiratory Care
May 16th 2024The application of artificial intelligence in medicine is anticipated as a highlight of ATS 2024, with sessions exploring its applications in research, radiological interpretation, and pediatric pulmonology.
Read More
The Importance of Examining and Preventing Atrial Fibrillation
August 29th 2023At this year’s American Society for Preventive Cardiology Congress on CVD Prevention, Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, delivered the Honorary Fellow Award Lecture, “The Imperative to Focus on the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation,” as the recipient of this year’s Honorary Fellow of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology award.
Listen
Real-World Evidence Evolves With the Tools and the Times, Flatiron’s Adamson Explains
May 15th 2024Read More
Promoting Equity in Public Health: Policy, Investment, and Community Engagement Solutions
June 28th 2022On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Georges C. Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association, on the core takeaways of his keynote session at AHIP 2022 on public health policy and other solutions to promote equitable health and well-being.
Listen
AUA 2024: Disrupting the Field of Urology
May 10th 2024Speakers at the 2024 American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting highlighted the innovations and advancements that are pushing the field of urology forward.
Read More
Posters Characterize DMD Caregiver Experiences, Impact of Gene Therapy on Caregiving Demands
May 10th 2024Posters presented at the ISPOR—The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research meeting explored Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) caregiver experiences and gene therapy’s impact on work opportunities for caregivers.
Read More