Research & Innovation
Publications
The association between neighborhood's socioeconomic profile and cardiometabolic risk: Implication for targeted resource allocation and prevention in primary care?
PMU Authors
Raphael Bertsch, Hans-Peter Wiesinger, Bernhard Iglseder, Maria Flamm
All Authors
Raphael Bertsch, Patrick Langthaler, Josef Fersterer, Hans-Peter Wiesinger, Bernhard Iglseder, Maria Flamm
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines how neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) influences the risk of type-2
diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Salzburg, Austria. It explores whether nSES can guide targeted prevention and resource allocation in primary care when local health data is unavailable.
Theory
T2D and CVD are major global health burdens, but effective primary care can prevent hospitalizations and complications. While individual SES is a known risk factor, the influence of nSES is a newer research area. The Fundamental Cause Theory links nSES to health outcomes through access to resources like healthcare, education and housing.
Methods
Data from 4,742 subjects (ages 40–70) in a cohort study were used to assess T2D and CVD risks with validated risk scores. NSES was measured using a multiple deprivation index from registry data. Both datasets were aggregated at the district level and correlations were analyzed using regression models without individual adjustments.
Findings
Neighbourhood education deprivation is significantly associated with higher T2D (B=-0.68,
p=0.016, R2=0.43) and CVD risk (B=0.70, p=0.042, R2=0.11). Unemployment, housing and healthcare showed no substantial impact on risk scores.
Discussion
These findings highlight the role of nSES, especially education, in T2D and CVD risk. NSES should be considered in primary care planning for resource allocation and prevention. Limitations include the lack of adjustments and the model´s limited robustness for CVD, which future research should address.
Keywords
neighbourhood deprivation, type-2-diabetes, cardiovasulcar diseases, primary care, health planning