Abstract P263: Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity Among Rural Low-Wage Workers Participating in a Worksite-Based Health Assessment

Abstract

Introduction: Multimorbidity or the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions, is common among adults in the US and cardiometabolic multimorbidity is becoming progressively more common. Non-medical factors, such as lower educational attainment and poverty can increase a person’s risk of having cardiometabolic multimorbidity. The burden of cardiometabolic multimorbidity and its association with self-perceived health among a sample of rural, low-wage workers has not been established. Methods: Between December 2020 and August 2023, we partnered with 34 business to conduct worksite-based health screening clinics. Participants completed questionnaires, including the EQ-5D, and a physical assessment. Disease screenings included diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Results: A total of 1128 individuals (45.1% Black, 56.7% male) were screened and included in this report. On a scale from 0 (poor health) to 100 (best health) the mean self-reported health was 78.4. On-site lab results identified 104 (9.2%) participants with an indicator of diabetes (HbA1c≥6.5), 575 participants were obese (51.0%), and 450 had a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 (39.9%). Cardiometabolic multimorbidity was found in over a quarter of participants (28.3%, see figure). Self-perceived health differed among multimorbidity clusters. Participants with the lowest self-perceived health included those who screened positive for all three conditions (diabetes, obesity, and hypertension) (68.9), followed by those who screened positive for both diabetes and obesity (72.4), and those with only obesity (76.3). Participants without any positive screens had the highest health score (81.5). Conclusion: Of the 1128 individuals screened, over a quarter of participants screened positive for cardiometabolic multimorbidity. An additional 40.3% of the sample screened positive for one of the chronic conditions. Self-perceived health was associated with cardiometabolic multimorbidity; obesity appears to be an important factor in this relationship.