Socioeconomic determinants of health and county-level variation in cardiovascular disease mortality: An exploratory analysis of Georgia during 2014–2016

Sanjana Adepu, Adam E. Berman, Mark A. Thompson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Since cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of death in the state of Georgia, we sought to describe the relationship between socioeconomic determinants of health (SDH) and CVD-related mortality in Georgia using publicly available population health and economic data. A multivariate regression model was estimated to examine physical inactivity, median household income, health insurance status, urban–rural status, and air quality on CVD mortality in Georgia between 2014 and 2016. We find that the median household income and annual average ambient concentrations of PM2.5 were the most significant factors in explaining CVD mortality. Lower levels of median household income and higher concentrations of PM2.5 were associated with higher CVD mortality rates. Leisure-time physical inactivity, health insurance status, and urban–rural status were not associated with worsened CVD-related mortality. As such, policies and interventions aimed at improving socioeconomic status in Georgia should be explored in an effort to positively impact CVD outcomes. Furthermore, this exploratory study could be extended for all counties in the U.S.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number101160
JournalPreventive Medicine Reports
Volume19
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2020

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Georgia
  • Mortality
  • Socioeconomic determinants of health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Informatics
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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