A recent study underscores how social determinants of health exacerbate the severity and mortality rates of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infections in minority communities. Conducted by Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, the research highlights the significant impact of socioeconomic and healthcare access disparities on infection outcomes. The study, presented at the Peggy Lillis Foundation’s State of C diff Town Hall, focused on San Bernardino County, California, where 70% of residents are racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) individuals.
San Bernardino County, with its high REM population, faces substantial health disparities, including higher rates of chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. These conditions, coupled with limited healthcare access and lower socioeconomic status, significantly worsen C. difficile infection outcomes. Abdul-Mutakabbir noted that REM residents in this region are more likely to be uninsured and less likely to have access to primary care physicians, further compounding their health challenges.
The study found that high social vulnerability scores correlate with increased severity and mortality of C. difficile infections. This correlation emphasizes the need for targeted healthcare strategies to address these disparities. Chronic conditions prevalent in underserved communities exacerbate infection outcomes, highlighting the critical role of social determinants in health.
These findings call for urgent action to improve healthcare access and address the socioeconomic factors contributing to health disparities in minority communities. Ensuring equitable healthcare resources is essential to mitigating the impact of C. difficile infections and improving overall health outcomes.
See: “Social Determinants of Health Shape Outcomes in C difficile Infections” (December 4, 2024)
