Abstract P654: Neighborhood Social Determinants of Health Influence Cardioprotective Behaviors Among Church Members in New Orleans

Abstract

Introduction: Favorable neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDOH) are associated with less cardiovascular disease risk, but there is limited research evaluating their influence on cardioprotective behaviors. We evaluated the association between neighborhood-level SDOH and cardioprotective behaviors among members of predominantly Black churches in New Orleans, LA. Hypothesis: Participants residing in more-resourced neighborhoods will be more likely to engage in cardioprotective behaviors than participants residing in less-resourced neighborhoods. Methods: A health needs assessment was conducted during the planning phase of a local church-based health intervention. It included a survey distributed between November 2021-February 2022 to church members on their demographics, engagement in health-related behaviors, aspects of the neighborhood environment, and home address (which was linked to their census tract data and a corresponding social deprivation index [SDI]). We conducted descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models to assess the influence of neighborhood predictor variables on the likelihood of engaging in cardioprotective behaviors. Results: Overall, there were 302 respondents, 77% were female, 99% were of Black race, and 50% completed an associate’s/bachelor’s degree or higher. Neighborhood social cohesion, availability of fruits and vegetables, and the neighborhood’s walkability and conduciveness to exercise were positively associated with the composite outcome of beneficial health behaviors after adjusting for age, sex, and education. [Table] Neighborhood predictors were not associated with medication adherence or regular medical care. Conclusions: Neighborhood-level SDOH were associated with cardioprotective behaviors in this group of predominantly Black church members in New Orleans.