Abstract 14088: Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Control in a Smartphone-Based Cardiovascular Risk Self-Management Program

Abstract

Background: Social determinants of health (SDOH) are environmental factors that have an impact on one's health, outcome, and quality of life. SDOH like language, income, healthcare access, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood characteristics can manifest in inequalities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factor burden, resulting in inequitable CVD related morbidity and mortality. Limited data are available on effects of SDOH on CVD risk factor control among users of digital health technology. Aim: To study the impact of SDOH like primary language, household income, access to healthcare and urban/rural residential type on blood pressure (BP) and total cholesterol (TC) control in participants of a smartphone-based cardiovascular risk self-management program with AI-based digital coaching. Methods: Participants’ data were matched with Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s 2020 SDOH database by ZIP code. Changes in systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and TC were evaluated from baseline to 6 months follow up. The SDOH variables- primary language, median household income, distance to healthcare facility and urban/rural residential type - were used to predict changes in BP and TC via regression models adjusted for age, gender, and baseline BP/TC. Results: In 27,553 participants (age 55 ± 0.1 y, 48.5% women), overall reduction in BP and TC were observed (p<0.001). Of those with baseline stage 2 hypertension, 80.5% reduced SBP at follow up, and 82.9% of those with baseline high TC (≥240 mg/dL) reduced TC at follow up. Median household income was associated with change in SBP (β -1.6E-5, p < 0.001) and DBP (β -4.8E-6, p < 0.001), but not TC. This association was not clinically significant as each $62,535 increase in the median household income was associated with an additional 1 mm Hg in BP reduction. No difference in BP or TC change was found based on primary language, distance to healthcare facility, and urban/rural residential type (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In a smartphone-based cardiovascular risk self-management program, the majority (>80%) of high-risk participants reduce BP and TC across various SDOH factors. These results highlight the potential use of this technology to bridge health inequity gaps in prevention and control of CVD risk.