Differences In Socioeconomic Status Research Articles

Evaluation of personal, socioeconomic and psychological characteristics of FFS and non-FFS groundnut growers

The personal, socioeconomic and psychological characteristics play a vital role in planning any capacity building programmes to farmers. A study was conducted during 2012-13 to know the personal, socioeconomic and psychological characteristics of Farmer Field School (FFS) and non-FFS farmers of groundnut in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. There was no significant difference in farming experience and socioeconomic status was observed between FFS and non-FFS farmers of groundnut. Significant differences in extension participation, mass media exposure, innovativeness, achievement motivation, management orientation, economic orientation, information input behavior, information process behaviour and information output behaviour were observed between FFS and non-FFS farmers of groundnut.

Cognitive Neuroimaging Studies on Poverty and Socioeconomic Status Differences in Children and Families across the World: Translational Insights for Next Decade’s Policy, Health, and Education

This systematic review and meta-analysis of global peer-reviewed neuroimaging findings preliminarily assessed the magnitude of effect sizes (ES) of the influences of family poverty/low socioeconomic status (SES) on children’s neurocognition and whether these were consistently detrimental. The literature search (Web of Science; PUBMED; MEDLINE: PSYCNET; GOOGLE SCHOLAR; SCIENCEDIRECT) included 66 studies from 1988 to 2022; 85% of the studies included were conducted in Western, high-income nations. Bayesian models, corrected by study sizes and variances, revealed ESs were heterogeneous across countries and measurements. Bayesian and standard hypothesis testing indicated high and low SES groups showed similar behavioral performances in neuroimaging-concurrent tasks. Except for Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies, ESs were small-to-intermediate with modest reliability. The strongest ESs were found for attention, mathematical performance, language, and cortical volume, followed by intermediate ESs for reading and socioemotional processes. Differentials in resting activity and connectivity, working memory, and executive functions yielded small effects. A bibliometric analysis showed a significant proportion of the literature attributed neurocognitive deficits to low SES, despite overlooking the under-representativity of non-Western and low-income countries, potential influences of racial/ethnic differences, and measurement sensitivity/specificity discrepancies. To reach United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, policies and interventions should consider regional, structural, or environmental ecologies beyond the individual, critically probing implicit deficit attributions.

Testing for SES differences in the responsiveness of educational expectations in a twin design.

In this article I test whether students' educational expectations respond to prior academic performance and whether this responsiveness varies by socio-economic status (SES). The responsiveness of high-SES students' expectations may be lower as suggested by the compensatory advantage mechanism or higher because of alienation processes of low-SES students. However, the association between achievement and expectations may be in part spurious because of unobserved social and genetic confounders. This issue is largely ignored by previous research. Therefore, in this paper I estimate behavioral genetic twin models that take into account the possible confounding of the responsiveness of expectations to performance by unobserved genetic and social influences. While students' expectations respond to prior performance, this responsiveness is reduced by more than half once unobserved genetic and social confounders are accounted for. Also, SES differences in responsiveness to performance are completely accounted for by high-SES students' expectations being less responsive to prior levels of cognitive ability. So, this study shows the relevance of taking different types of confounding into account when studying the formation of educational expectations.

Exploring adolescents' occupational possible selves: The role of gender and socioeconomic status

AbstractAdolescence is an important stage in forming one's identity and developing career inspirations. The current empirical study aims to investigate gender and socioeconomic status (SES) differences in adolescents’ occupational possible selves. A total of 3336 sixth‐ to eighth‐grade students participated in the survey research and reported (1) hoped‐for occupation, (2) desire for the hoped‐for occupation, (3) likelihood of attaining the hoped‐for occupation, and (4) whether and what actions were taken toward the hoped‐for occupation. A series of regression models and advanced natural language processing techniques were applied to the survey data. Results revealed evident gender differences and some nuanced SES differences in the named occupational possible selves with a significant interaction between gender and SES on adolescents’ career‐related actions. However, this study did not find gender or SES differences in adolescents’ desire to pursue their occupational possible selves.

Health disparities in the detection and prevalence of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

IntroductionPediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is associated with negative health outcomes, behavior problems, and poor academic performance when left untreated. Prior research has shown that children from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and those living in lower socioeconomic status (SES) homes or neighborhoods have higher prevalence of OSA but lower likelihood of receiving evidence-based care for OSA. Disparities in pediatric OSA detection (e.g., timely assessment and diagnosis) likely contribute to this observed inequity in receiving treatment. A polysomnogram (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing OSA but completing PSG can be challenging. Study aims were to examine racial, ethnic, and SES differences in (1) OSA prevalence and severity and (2) OSA detection, specifically PSG completion rates, timing since referral, and age of diagnosis.MethodsChildren (aged 1–18, N = 1,860, 56% male) were referred for PSG during a 6-month period. Participants' racial/ethnic background were as follows: 64.8% White non-Hispanic, 23.5% Black non-Hispanic, 9.4% White Hispanic, and 2.4% other. Children predominantly had Medicaid insurance (64.5%). SES was measured by insurance type and neighborhood SES using the Distressed Communities Index (DCI) for each participant's zip code (Economic Innovations Group; https://eig.org/dc). Covariates included child age and sex, BMI, premature birth status, and smoke exposure in the home.ResultsWe replicated previous research by showing that children from minority racial/ethnic backgrounds and lower SES backgrounds had higher prevalence rates of OSA and worse disease severity. Across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, only 31.6% of the children referred successfully completed PSG. Insurance coverage (Medicaid or private vs. self-pay), was an important factor in predicting earlier timing and better completion rates of PSG, which is essential for successful diagnosis and treatment of pediatric OSA.

Factors in the Development of Somatoform Disorders Among Children: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction Somatoform disorders (SFDs) are a spectrum of diseases mainly manifesting with physical symptoms of no recognizable etiology. These disorders are believed to be primarily influenced and exacerbated by psychological factors. Given the connection between parental sociodemographics and psychological factors and SFDs, there is a pressing need to investigate this area further, particularly concerning parents and their children affected by somatoform disorders. Aims and objectives The aims and objectives of this study are as follows: i) study the determinants of SFDs, namely, parent handling of child, parent-child relationship, parenting with respect to attending to the needs of children, and intelligence quotient (IQ) of parents, and ii) compare host factors to the factors matched in control subjects. Materials and methods We adopted purposive sampling in our case-control study. The study sample was obtained from the psychiatry department of the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, Kanpur, India, from September 2020 to December 2022, once a week, every Monday. Children manifesting SFD manifestations that are among the chief complaints were included in our study. Results A total of 115 cases were included in our study based on inclusion criteria. The study compared sociodemographic characteristics, intelligence quotient (IQ), parental characteristics, parental handling, parent-child relationships, and parenting practices between a patient group and a control group. The results showed no significant differences in sex, religion, occupation, domicile, and socioeconomic status in both control and patient groups. However, significant differences were found in parental characteristics, such as lower mean age, education, and IQ, in the patient group. This difference between the patient and control groups with respect to the parental handling questionnaire was statistically significant for the domain of "praise," "talk," "feel better," "comes to you," "unduly strict" items, "frequently reprimanded," "tried to control everything," creative activities, protectiveness, education, neglecting, objective punishment, housing, medical care, demanding, symbolic reward, loving, objective reward, food, parent-to-child communication, clothing, support, routine, recreation, social activities, rules, managing problem behavior, guidance for career, and security. Conclusion Parents were deficient in terms of years of education, occupational status, IQ, parental handling, parent-child relationship, and parenting with respect to the children's needs. These findings offer insights into the sociodemographic and psychological factors contributing to the patient group's condition.

Heterogeneous gender gaps in mental wellbeing: Do women with low economic status face the biggest gender gaps?

Gender differences in depression are globally documented across a wide range of studies that analyse self-reports of depressive symptoms or clinical diagnoses. Extensive research fails to identify any single reason for this finding but given systematic variation in depressive symptomatology across social groups, gender differences must derive at least partly from environmental or social factors. Among the social factors that are considered most important are those relating to gender differences in socio-economic status and the underlying gender division of labor. In this study, we add to existing research by interrogating heterogeneity in gender differences in mental health. Studies that investigate environmental factors typically consider these only in relation to the average gender gap in depression. We use a novel sorting and classification method (Chernozhukov et al., 2018) that makes it possible to map the full distribution of gender differences in depressive symptomatology among comparable women and men. Although we cannot attribute causality, the method allows us to isolate those social factors that are distinctive to women who experience the largest gender gap in depressive symptoms compared to those who exhibit the smallest. The study analyses detailed nationally representative micro-data from South Africa, a country with high rates of poverty, which are higher still among women. As is common elsewhere, women report significantly more depressive symptoms than men, and low socio-economic status is correlated with poor mental health. However, women with low socio-economic status are not relatively more concentrated among women who face the largest gender gap in depressive symptomatology. These findings would not be consistent with the hypothesis that women have a greater tendency than men to ruminate over economic hardship and could rather point to resilience and a “steeling effect” among poor women.

Differences in use of high- and low-value health care between immigrant and US-born adults.

To examine differences in the use of high- and low-value health care between immigrant and US-born adults. The 2007-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We split the sample into younger (ages 18-64 years) and older adults (ages 65 years and over). Our outcome measures included the use of high-value care (eight services) and low-value care (seven services). Our key independent variable was immigration status. For each outcome, we ran regressions with and without individual-level characteristics. N/A. Before accounting for individual-level characteristics, the use of high- and low-value care was lower among immigrant adults than US-born adults. After accounting for individual-level characteristics, this difference decreased in both groups of younger and older adults. For high-value care, significant differences were observed in five services and the direction of the differences was mixed. The use of breast cancer screening was lower among immigrant than US-born younger and older adults (-5.7 [95% CI: -7.4 to -3.9] and -2.9 percentage points [95% CI: -5.6 to -0.2]) while the use of colorectal cancer screening was higher among immigrant than US-born younger and older adults (2.6 [95% CI: 0.5 to 4.8] and 3.6 [95% CI: 0.2 to 7.0] percentage points). For low-value care, we did not identify significant differences except for antibiotics for acute upper respiratory infection among younger adults and opioids for back pain among older adults (-3.5 [95% CI: -5.5 to -1.5] and -3.8[95% CI: -7.3 to -0.2] percentage points). Particularly, differences in socioeconomic status, health insurance, and care access between immigrant and US-born adults played a key role in accounting for differences in the use of high- and low-value health care. The use of high-value care among immigrant and US-born adults increased over time, but the use of low-value care did not decrease. Differential use of high- and low-value care between immigrant and US-born adults may be partly attributable to differences in individual-level characteristics, especially socioeconomic status, health insurance, and access to care.

Otitis media and its associated risk factors: An investigation into patients’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and information sources at a hospital setting

Abstract Background: Otitis media (OM) is a substantial healthcare issue globally, including in India. Despite its widespread occurrence, there has been only one prior investigation into the knowledge, attitude, practices, and sources of information (KAPS), as well as information sources regarding OM among patients in India, and this study dates back to 2009. This article unveils the findings of a recent KAPS study conducted among patients residing in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the KAPS regarding OM and its associated risk factors, with a specific focus on individuals diagnosed with this ailment. Settings and Design: This research was conducted in the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Outpatient Department (OPD) of MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. A cross-sectional study, the KAPS study, was conducted on 91 patients diagnosed with OM. Materials and Methods: This study used a cross-sectional methodology to assess KAPS. The research included 91 patients diagnosed with OM receiving care at the ENT-OPD of MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used, and data normality was evaluated. Independent T-tests and analysis of variance methods were employed to compare means, followed by post hoc analysis using the Bonferroni test. Pearson coefficient test was utilized to estimate correlations, and associations were examined using the Chi-square test. Results: Most participants (47.3%) exhibited a low level of knowledge, with an average Knowledge score of 11.98 ± 4.64 out of a possible 23. The mean Attitude score was 5.37 ± 1.37 out of seven. Regarding Attitude scores, there were significant differences in educational level (P = 0.003) and socioeconomic status (P = 0.0001). The mean Practice score was 0.51 ± 0.6 out of a maximum score of three. There was a significant correlation between Knowledge and Attitude scores (P < 0.0001). Only 17.6% of the participants reported receiving any education on ear health. Conclusion: Most patients in the study demonstrated a lack of comprehensive knowledge. While a positive attitude was common among the majority, the average Practice score remained relatively modest. This research underscores the significance of community education initiatives focused on OM to boost awareness and reduce the burden of this condition.

916-P: The Demographic Variables Associated with Diabetes Technology Knowledge or Use in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Studies in populations with type 1 diabetes highlight the racial-ethnic disparities in the use of diabetes technology. Our project aims to investigate racial-ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in diabetes technology knowledge and use in adult patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in ambulatory setting. Method: We recruited adults aged 40 and older with T2D who visited one of four internal medicine practices between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2021. We selected patients in the electronic record who use insulin, have English as a primary language, and have an email address. Eligible participants were invited to participate via an email link to a REDCap questionnaire. All variables were summarized descriptively using frequencies and percentages, and were compared across groups using Pearson’s Chi-Square Test or Fisher’s Exact Test. Results: We included 116 patients in the analysis, most of whom were white (62%), elderly Medicare recipients. Those who are of racial-ethnic minoritized groups are less likely to have knowledge of CGM (p = 0.013) or insulin pumps (p = 0.001). Patients who have high school education or less have less awareness of insulin pumps (p = 0.041). Interestingly, neither awareness nor use of CGM or insulin pump were found to be associated with income. Conclusion: This cross-sectional analysis suggests that racial-ethnic minoritized groups or those with lower education have lower knowledge of CGM or insulin pumps and this disparity cannot be explained by differences in socioeconomic status. Providers need to be aware of their potential implicit biases in relation to education and prescription of diabetes technology. Disclosure Y.Ye: None. B.A.Acevedo-mendez: None. S.Izard: None. A.K.Myers: Research Support; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Retrospective chart review of patient socioeconomic status and language preference associated with live video telehealth in a pediatric dermatology practice.

Pediatric teledermatology rapidly expanded with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impacts of this expansion on patients' access to care have not yet been entirely defined. In this retrospective study of 3027 patients in an academic pediatric dermatology practice, patients who identified as having a primary language other than English were less likely to access pediatric dermatology care during the COVID lockdown. This study did not identify a significant or meaningful difference in age, geography, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or race between patients who were offeredpediatric dermatology care that was either in-person or via synchronous telehealth. These findings are overall reassuring that there were not major disparities in telehealth utilization during the COVID shelter-in-place mandate, although highlight the need for institutions to ensure systems are in place to enhance telehealth access for patients with non-English primary language.

Can adult children's education prevent parental health decline in the short term and long term? Evidence from rural China.

This paper presents the first evidence of the causal relationship between adult children's schooling and changes in parental health in the short and long term. By using supply-side variation in schooling as an instrument for adult children's education and a representative dataset for rural China, we find that adult children' education has a positive influence on the long-term changes in parental health, with limited evidence of any short-term effect. Our results remain consistent after a variety of sensitivity tests. The heterogeneous analyses show differences in socio-economic status and gender, with low-educated parents and mothers being the primary beneficiaries of children's schooling. Potential mechanisms for the long-term effects of adult children's education on changes in parental health include better chronic disease management, improved access to health, sanitation, and clean fuel facilities, improved psychological well-being, and reduced smoking behaviours.

Dysregulated Emotion and Trying Substances in Childhood: Insights from a Large Nationally Representative Cohort Study

Objective Transdiagnostic perspectives on the shared origins of mental illness posit that dysregulated emotion may represent a key driving force behind multiple forms of psychopathology, including substance use disorders. The present study examined whether a link between dysregulated emotion and trying illicit substances could be observed in childhood. Method In a large (N = 7,418) nationally representative sample of children (Mage = 9.9), individual differences in emotion dysregulation were indexed using child and parent reports of frequency of children’s emotional outbursts, as well as children’s performance on the emotional N-Back task. Two latent variables, derived from either parental/child-report or performance-based indicators, were evaluated as predictors of having ever tried alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana. Results Results showed that reports of dysregulated emotion were linked to a greater likelihood of trying both alcohol and tobacco products. These findings were also present when controlling for individual differences in executive control and socioeconomic status. Conclusions These results suggest that well-established links between dysregulated negative emotion and substance use may emerge as early as in childhood and also suggest that children who experience excessive episodes of uncontrollable negative emotion may be at greater risk for trying substances early in life.

Race differences in pain and pain-related risk factors among former professional American-style football players.

The burden of pain is unequal across demographic groups, with broad and persisting race differences in pain-related outcomes in the United States. Members of racial and ethnic minorities frequently report more pervasive and severe pain compared with those in the majority, with at least some disparity attributable to differences in socioeconomic status. Whether race disparities in pain-related health outcomes exist among former professional football players is unknown. We examined the association of race with pain outcomes among 3995 former professional American-style football players who self-identified as either Black or White. Black players reported more intense pain and higher levels of pain interference relative to White players, even after controlling for age, football history, comorbidities, and psychosocial factors. Race moderated associations between several biopsychosocial factors and pain; higher body mass index was associated with more pain among White but not among Black players. Fatigue and psychosocial factors were more strongly related to pain among Black players relative to White players. Collectively, the substantial social and economic advantages of working as a professional athlete did not seem to erase race-related disparities in pain. We highlight an increased burden of pain among elite Black professional football players and identify race-specific patterns of association between pain and biopsychosocial pain risk factors. These findings illuminate potential future targets of interventions that may serve to reduce persistent disparities in the experience and impact of pain.

Socio-economic status moderates the relationship between values and subjective well-being among Chinese college students

Personal values and socioeconomic status (SES) both influence adolescents’ subjective well-being, yet there is still a need to explore whether differences in values and SES have different impacts on one’s subjective well-being (SWB). This study examined the moderation effect of SES in the relationship between two values (self-improvement and collective responsibility) and SBW. A sample comprising 600 Chinese college students (23.40% boys, mean age = 21.21, SD = 1.56) were measured twice over the course of one year using the Chinese Adolescent Values Questionnaire and the Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire. Results showed that self-improvement value may promote SWB of students with a low SES, but this result was not seen in the students with a high SES. Meanwhile, collective responsibility value may promote SWB in students with a low SES, while it may reduce SWB in students with a high SES. Our findings suggested that self-improvement and collective responsibility values can help low SES students access resources and support, helping them overcome unfavorable situations. However, a different picture was shown for students with a high SES. In contrast to the low-SES students, these two values seemed to restrict the growth of students with a high SES, hampering their pursuit of their own goals and interests, which may ultimately diminish their SWB.

The effects of socioeconomic status on working memory in childhood are partially mediated by intersensory processing of audiovisual events in infancy

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a well-established predictor of individual differences in childhood language and cognitive functioning, including executive functions such as working memory. In infancy, intersensory processing—selectively attending to properties of events that are redundantly specified across the senses at the expense of non-redundant, irrelevant properties—also predicts language development. Our recent research demonstrates that individual differences in intersensory processing in infancy predict a variety of language outcomes in childhood, even after controlling for SES. However, relations among intersensory processing and cognitive outcomes such as working memory have not yet been investigated. Thus, the present study examines relations between intersensory processing in infancy and working memory in early childhood, and the role of SES in this relation. Children (N = 101) received the Multisensory Attention Assessment Protocol at 12-months to assess intersensory processing (face-voice and object-sound matching) and received the WPPSI at 36-months to assess working memory. SES was indexed by maternal education, paternal education, and income. A variety of novel findings emerged. 1) Individual differences in intersensory processing at 12-months predicted working memory at 36-months of age even after controlling for SES. 2) Individual differences in SES predicted intersensory processing at 12-months of age. 3) The well-established relation between SES and working memory was partially mediated by intersensory processing. Children from families of higher-SES have better intersensory processing skills at 12-months and this combination of factors predicts greater working memory two years later at 36-months. Together these findings reveal the role of intersensory processing in cognitive functioning.

Risk factors for disruptions in tuberculosis care in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, TB mortality increased while diagnoses decreased, likely due to care disruption. In March, 2020, Uganda-a country with high TB burden, implemented a COVID-19 lockdown with associated decrease in TB diagnoses. This study aims to examine patient level risk factors for disruption in TB care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda. This retrospective cross-sectional cohort study included six TB clinics in Uganda. Clustered sampling included phases of TB care and three time-periods: pre-lockdown, lockdown and post-lockdown. Characteristics of patients with TB care disruption (TBCD), defined as those with > 2 months of symptoms prior to diagnosis or who missed a TB clinic, and those without TB care disruption (non-TBCD) were analyzed between time-periods. 1,624 charts were reviewed; 1322 were contacted, 672 consented and completed phone interview; pre-lockdown (n = 213), lockdown (n = 189) and post-lockdown (n = 270). TBCD occurred in 57% (385/672) of patients. There was an increase in the proportion of urban patients in the TBCD and non-TBCD groups during post-lockdown (p <0.001). There was no difference in demographics, HIV co-infection, socioeconomic status, or distance to TB clinic between TBCD and non-TBCD groups or within TBCD by time-period. There were few differences amongst TBCD and all TB patients by time-period. The increase in urban patients' post-lockdown may represent a portion of urban patients who delayed care until post-lockdown. Insignificant trends suggesting more TBCD amongst those who lived further from clinics and those without HIV-coinfection require more investigation.

The socioeconomic profile of alcohol use in Europe: findings from 33 European countries

Background: Alcohol’s detrimental health effects do not affect everyone equally but accumulate in people with low socioeconomic status (SES). Using data from the 2021 Standard European Alcohol Survey, we explore gender- and SES-specific consumption patterns, and COVID-19 related changes in consumption across Europe.&#x0D; Methods: Cross-sectional population-based survey data from 54,354 adults from 33 European countries plus Spain-Catalonia were analysed. Five alcohol indicators were of interest: prevalence of past-year alcohol use; and, among past-year alcohol users, prevalence of monthly/more frequent risky-single-occasion-drinking (monthly+ RSOD); prevalence of high-risk alcohol use (40+/60+ grams pure alcohol daily for women/men); mean daily grams of pure alcohol consumed; and self-reported consumption changes during COVID-19. Alcohol indicators were age-standardised and decomposed by gender and SES (education attainment), and analysed using regression models with location-specific random intercepts.&#x0D; Results: Across jurisdictions, past-year alcohol use, monthly+ RSOD, and high-risk drinking were all commonly reported, with distinct gender-specific socioeconomic profiles. While high-SES men and women were generally more likely to report past-year alcohol use, monthly+ RSOD and high-risk drinking were more prevalent among currently drinking low/mid-SES compared to high-SES men. No such SES differences in risky drinking were observed among women, however, female alcohol users with high SES reported higher mean daily drinking levels. High-SES women but not men were more likely to both increase and decrease their drinking during COVID-19 compared to their low/mid-SES counterparts.&#x0D; Conclusion: High consumption levels and distinct socioeconomic profiles among men and women highlight the need for effective alcohol policies to reduce health inequalities in Europe.

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in breast cancer surgery performed and delayed surgical treatment: Mediating impact on mortality.

585 Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States (US). Although Socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, and surgical type/delays are associated with breast cancer mortality outcomes, studies on these associations have been contrasting. This study examined the racial/ethnic and SES differences in surgical treatment types and delays. Also, we quantified the extent to which these differences explained the racial/ethnic disparities in breast cancer mortality. Methods: We studied 290,066 women 40+ years old diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2017 identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. We performed logistic regression models to examine the association of SES and race/ethnicity with surgical treatment type and delays. We performed mediation analysis models to quantify the extent to which mortality differences were mediated by treatment, sociodemographic, and clinicopathologic factors. The study subjects were de-identified, and there was no patient contact; thus, the study was exempted from an Institutional Review Board's (IRB) approval. A p-value less than 0.05 indicated significant associations for the descriptive statistics, logistic and Cox proportional hazard regressions, and mediation analysis. We used Stata 17 to perform the analyses. Results: Non-Hispanic (NH) Black [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.13-1.19] and Hispanic women [OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.24-1.31] were significantly more likely to undergo mastectomy compared to NH White women. Similarly, NH Black and Hispanic women had higher odds of delayed surgical treatment than NH Whites. Patients in the highest SES quintile, compared to those in lowest the lowest, were less likely to experience breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM). Variations in treatment, SES, and clinicopathological factors significantly explained 70% of the excess BCSM among NH Blacks compared to their NH White counterparts. Conclusions: In conclusion, health disparity continues to be a major societal concern in the US. It affects people of all ages, socioeconomic classes, and ethnic/racial backgrounds. The findings of this study showed that racial and ethnic minorities, the majority of whom have a lower socioeconomic position, are significantly disadvantaged regarding the evaluation, quality, cost, and duration of medical care. Future studies can assess the multifactorial effects of sociodemographic factors like SES, access to health care assessment, and educational background amidst other variables as a multidimensional predictor of treatment delay and overall survival of breast cancer and other health issues among minoritized populations.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY, HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES IN POPULATION LIVING IN THE CROATIAN RURAL AREA DAMAGED BY AN EARTHQUAKE

Objective: Hypertension, diabetes and obesity are becoming increasingly common nowadays. Socioeconomic status differences and their effects on the prevalence of those conditions are, however, still unknown. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of monthly income on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and obesity in the rural population from the earthquake damaged area. Design and method: This study included 249 patients who were a part of the Croatian Project ‘Chasing the Silent Killer’, a hypertension screening intervention in rural areas. Various anthropometric measurements were performed and a questionnaire was given to the participants. The participants were divided into two groups: those with an average monthly income of more than 500 Eu and those with less. Results: The average BMI was 28.9 kg/m2. Out of the 249 patients, 100 of them had a BMI &gt; 30 kg/m2. The average blood pressure was 142/81 mmHg. Average systolic blood pressure was 6 mmHg lower in participants with a higher average monthly income in comparison to patients with a lower average monthly income (p = 0.056). Out of the total participants, 21 have type 2 diabetes. No significant association between BMI (p = 0.529), diabetes (p = 0.759) and the participants’ monthly income was proven. Conclusions: In this rural population we found a tendency for people with a higher average monthly income to have lower systolic blood pressure but no significant association between BMI, diabetes, and monthly income was noted. Lower monthly income, i.e. poor socioeconomic status is associated with higher systolic blood pressure, but not with obesity and diabetes. This result warrants further research.