Systematization of Socioeconomic Factors that Determine Health Inequality: A Literature Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 101-114
Author(s):  
Ivan P. Shibalkov ◽  
◽  
Irina A. Pavlova ◽  
Olga P. Nedospasova ◽  
Ekaterina K. Tagina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Socioeconomic Position ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Russian Science Citation Index ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Health Factors ◽  
Inequality In Health

Academic and expert community is continuously researching all aspects of inequality. However, problems of inequality in healthcare (due to objective circumstances (ethnicity, gender, etc.) and settings in which people are born, grow up, work, and age) have been studied to a lesser extent. The study aims to summarize and analyze literature on the identification and systematization of socioeconomic factors affecting inequality in health on individual and population levels. Health factors are primarily determined by a person's socioeconomic position (SEP), including education, income, and occupation. Socio-economic factors that determine inequality in health are all factors that affect the absolute and relative (relative to other members of the society in which the individual lives) social and economic situation of a person. In addition to them, the analysis includes institutions that potentially influence a person's health: a person, at their own free will or in connection with established norms, interacts with these institutions regularly during their life. A literature review using the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Russian Science Citation Index databases was carried out. The search depth by the time parameter had no restrictions. The keywords “socioeconomic status”, “socioeconomic position”, “inequality in health”, “health factors” were used to analyze more than 350 publications. The analysis allowed us to divide socioeconomic factors into the following categories and subcategories related to education (level of education of a person, level of education of a partner, gender differences in education, medical awareness), welfare and financial security (level of income, income inequality in society, macroeconomic parameters), employment and labor relations (nature and conditions of work, support of employment by the state), environmental factors (ecology and climate, physical habitat, social environment, health care). The factors are also systematized according to the levels of influence: individual level (micro-level), a person's inner circle (meso-level), and society as a whole (macro-level). The study identifies the relationship between various aspects of a person's SEP and their health for the majority of the factor groups for both developed and developing countries. The study results amend and strengthen arguments confirming the importance of the effective functioning of institutions responsible for the health of the population and explain their institutional roles for improving the quality of life and well-being of citizens throughout their life trajectories. In this regard, a systematic study of the factors that determine inequality in health creates conditions for improving the quality of the institutional framework and substantiating the effectiveness of measures aimed at minimizing inequality in health at the micro-, meso-, macro-levels for increasing the well-being of the entire socioeconomic system.

scholarly journals AB0602 IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ON PAIN AND FUNCTION IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1337.2-1337
Author(s):  
T. W. Swinnen ◽  
M. Willems ◽  
I. Jonkers ◽  
F. P. Luyten ◽  
J. Vanrenterghem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
Socioeconomic Outcomes ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Background:The personal and societal burden of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) urges the research community to identify factors that predict its onset and progression. A mechanistic understanding of disease is currently lacking but needed to develop targeted interventions. Traditionally, risk factors for KOA are termed ‘local’ to the joint or ‘systemic’ referring to whole-body systems. There are however clear indications in the scientific literature that contextual factors such as socioeconomic position merit further scientific scrutiny, in order to justify a more biopsychosocial view on risk factors in KOA.Objectives:The aims of this systematic literature review were to assess the inclusion of socioeconomic factors in KOA research and to identify the impact of socioeconomic factors on pain and function in KOA.Methods:Major bibliographic databases, namely Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and Cochrane, were independently screened by two reviewers (plus one to resolve conflicts) to identify research articles dealing with socioeconomic factors in the KOA population without arthroplasty. Included studies had to quantify the relationship between socioeconomic factors and pain or function. Main exclusion criteria were: a qualitative design, subject age below 16 years and articles not written in English or Dutch. Methodological quality was assessed via the Cochrane risk of bias tools for randomized (ROB-II) and non-randomized intervention studies (ROBIN-I) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for assessing the quality of non-randomised studies. Due to heterogeneity of studies with respect to outcomes assessed and analyses performed, no meta-analysis was performed.Results:Following de-duplication, 7639 articles were available for screening (120 conflicts resolved without a third reader). In 4112 articles, the KOA population was confirmed. 1906 (25%) were excluded because of knee arthroplasty and 1621 (21%) because of other issues related to the population definition. Socioeconomic factors could not be identified in 4058 (53%) papers and were adjusted for in 211 (3%) articles. In the remaining papers covering pain (n=110) and/or function (n=81), education (62%) and race (37%) were most frequently assessed as socioeconomic factors. A huge variety of mainly dichotomous or ordinal socioeconomic outcomes was found without further methodological justification nor sensitivity analysis to unravel the impact of selected categories. Although the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was the most popular instrument to assess pain and function, data pooling was not possible as socioeconomic factors estimates were part of multilevel models in most studies. Overall results showed that lower education and African American race were consistent predictors of pain and poor function, but those effects diminished or disappeared when psychological aspects (e.g. discrimination) or poverty estimates were taken into account. When function was assessed using self-reported outcomes, the impact of socioeconomic factors was more clear versus performance-based instruments. Quality of research was low to moderate and the moderating or mediating impact of socioeconomic factors on intervention effects in KOA is understudied.Conclusion:Research on contextual socioeconomic factors in KOA is insufficiently addressed and their assessment is highly variable methodologically. Following this systematic literature review, we can highlight the importance of implementing a standardised and feasible set of socioeconomic outcomes in KOA trials1, as well as the importance of public availability of research databases including these factors. Future research should prioritise the underlying mechanisms in the effect of especially education and race on pain and function and assess its impact on intervention effects to fuel novel (non-)pharmacological approaches in KOA.References:[1]Smith TO et al. The OMERACT-OARSI Core Domain Set for Measurement in Clinical Trials of Hip and/or Knee Osteoarthritis J Rheumatol 2019. 46:981–9.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

Impact of Design on Emotional, Psychological, or Social Well-Being for People With Cognitive Impairment

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Karol ◽  
Dianne Smith
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Design Expertise ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Aim:The objective of this article is to identify and analyze what is known about characteristics in and around the home that support well-being for those with cognitive impairment. This could provide direction for designers of homes in general, but specifically for designers trying to meet the needs of people with cognitive impairment.Background:It has been established that there is a relationship between psychological well-being and a person’s environment. Research also shows that particular design aspects can reduce the impact of cognitive impairment. However, there is limited design expertise in the Australian housing market to create supportive spaces which will help to reduce the impact of the disability for those with cognitive impairment.Method:A literature review was carried out to determine the extent and details of what is known about the relationship of home design and its impact on emotional, psychological, or social well-being for people with cognitive impairment.Conclusions:The study indicates that researchers in various disciplines understand that pragmatic design inputs such as thermal comfort and adequate lighting are important for people with cognitive impairment. In addition, some researchers have shown or surmise that there are other “intangible” designer-controlled elements that have beneficial impacts on people with cognitive impairment. Details of these intangible elements are sparse, and how much they might improve the quality of life for a person with cognitive impairment is not well understood. Further research is required to meet a growing need.

Development of a Comprehensive Quality-of-Life Measure for Facial and Torso Acne

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 304-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea McLellan ◽  
Marc P. Frey ◽  
Diane Thiboutot ◽  
Alison Layton ◽  
Mary-Margaret Chren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Skin Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Delphi Survey ◽  
Psychometric Validation ◽  
Cognitive Interviews ◽  
Life Measure ◽  
Chronic Skin

Background Acne is a chronic skin disorder which generally presents in adolescence but continues into adulthood, and negatively affects both physical and psychosocial well-being. Presently, there are no validated acne-specific quality-of-life (QoL) measures that include dimensions for both facial and torso acne. Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a QoL instrument for both facial and torso acne (CompAQ) in accordance with recommended standards. Methods: A literature review and Delphi survey of patients and clinicians were used to develop the conceptual framework for outcomes perceived important to acne patients. An initial version of the measure was developed, CompAQ-v1, and pilot tested with patients via cognitive interviews. Results: The Delphi survey generated 4 domains (physical, psychological, sociological, and treatment) and 54 items. These, along with a literature review and input from clinical experts, informed the development of the CompAQ-v1. Eleven cognitive interviews were conducted, resulting in the second version of the measure, CompAQ-v2. Psychometric validation resulted in the final 20-item CompAQ measure comprising 5 domains. An abbreviated 5-item measure was also developed (CompAQ-SF). Conclusion: CompAQ and CompAQ-SF are instruments intended to evaluate QoL in patients with acne on their face or torso. The former is a 21-item QoL intended for research, while the latter is intended for clinical practice.

SHORTCOMINGS OF COMMONLY USED METHODS OF MEASURING THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF THE COUNTRY

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-111
Author(s):  
Łukasz Wojciechowski ◽  
Tomasz Wołowiec
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Gross Domestic Product ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The State ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
State And Society ◽  
State Of The Environment

The article analyzes the flaws of the classical measures of economic growth. It is based on the assumption that, while not questioning the quality of the GDP indicator as a tool for measuring economic activity, it points out that the way this indicator is constructed influences the actions of governments, citizens and other actors, affecting also non-productive areas. What we measure affects what we do - if production is measured, then the criterion determining the success of the state and society will be the growth of production, and not the level of education, health or state of the environment. Gross domestic product in many cases includes production that, from the point of view of the community, indicates unfavorable processes. These are the so-called anti-goods, i.e., phenomena that increase GDP, although they worsen well-being and are socially undesirable).

scholarly journals Community ageing research 75+ study (CARE75+): an experimental ageing and frailty research cohort

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e026744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Heaven ◽  
Lesley Brown ◽  
John Young ◽  
Elizabeth Teale ◽  
Rebecca Hawkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Science Studies ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Ageing Research ◽  
Study Results

IntroductionThe Community Ageing Research 75+ Study (CARE75+) is a longitudinal cohort study collecting an extensive range of health, social and economic data, with a focus on frailty, independence and quality of life in older age. CARE75+ is the first international experimental frailty research cohort designed using Trial within Cohorts (TwiCs) methodology, to align applied epidemiological research with clinical trial evaluation of interventions to improve the health and well-being of older people living with frailty.Methods and analysisProspective cohort study using a TwiCs design. One thousand community-dwelling older people (≥75 years) will be recruited from UK general practices. Nursing home residents, those with an estimated life expectancy of 3 months or less and people receiving palliative care will be excluded. Data collection assessments will be face to face in the person’s home at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and 48 months, including assessments of frailty, cognition, mood, health-related quality of life, comorbidity, medications, resilience, loneliness, pain and self-efficacy. A modified protocol for follow-up by telephone or web based will be offered at 6 months. Consent will be sought for data linkage and invitations to additional studies, including intervention studies using the TwiCs design. A blood sample biobank will be established for future basic science studies.Ethics and disseminationCARE75+ was approved by the NRES Committee Yorkshire and the Humber—Bradford Leeds 10 October 2014 (14/YH/1120). Formal written consent is sought if an individual is willing to participate and has capacity to provide informed consent. Consultee assent is sought if an individual lacks capacity.Study results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals and scientific conferences. Key study results will be summarised and disseminated to all study participants via newsletters, local older people’s publications and local engagement events. Results will be reported on a bespoke CARE75+ website.Trial registration numberISRCTN16588124;Results stage

scholarly journals A Systematic Literature Review and Head-to-Head Comparison of Social Support and Social Constraint in Relation to the Psychological Functioning of Cancer Survivors

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica N Rivera Rivera ◽  
Jessica L Burris
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Constraint ◽  
Multidimensional Concept

Abstract Background Quality of life is a multidimensional concept that includes perceptions of one’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual functioning, all of which are theorized to be interdependent. The focus of this study is social functioning, which itself is a multidimensional concept that includes social support and social constraint among other things. In cancer survivors, social support receives most of the research attention, but social constraint may have a stronger influence on quality of life. Purpose This systematic literature review evaluates which aspect of social functioning—social support or social constraint—has a stronger relationship with the psychological functioning of cancer survivors. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed in the identification and review of 32 independent records. Multiple measures of social support and social constraint were used across studies, with most having adequate psychometric properties. Psychological outcomes were divided into (a) general distress, (b) cancer-specific distress, (c) general well-being, and (d) cancer-specific well-being. Results For general and cancer-specific distress, social constraint exhibited a larger association with distress than social support. Similarly, for general well-being, most studies reported a stronger association with social constraint than social support. For cancer-specific well-being, the opposite was true such that associations were stronger for social support than social constraint. Conclusions Results highlight the importance of considering social constraint when examining quality-of-life outcomes like psychological distress and well-being. Findings support social constraint as a target in interventions to reduce cancer survivors’ distress, while social support could be considered in attempts to promote cancer-specific well-being.

Burden of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on patients’ emotional well being and quality of life: a literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 457-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Antoniou ◽  
Apostolos Kamekis ◽  
Emmanouil K. Symvoulakis ◽  
Maria Kokosi ◽  
Jeffrey J. Swigris
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Well Being

Radiofrequency exposure in young and old: different sensitivities in light of age-relevant natural differences

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Redmayne ◽  
Olle Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Population Means ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Comparative Risk

AbstractOur environment is now permeated by anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, and individuals of all ages are exposed for most of each 24 h period from transmitting devices. Despite claims that children are more likely to be vulnerable than healthy adults to unwanted effects of this exposure, there has been no recent examination of this, nor of comparative risk to the elderly or ill. We sought to clarify whether research supports the claim of increased risk in specific age-groups. First, we identified the literature which has explored age-specific pathophysiological impacts of RF-EMR. Natural life-span changes relevant to these different impacts provides context for our review of the selected literature, followed by discussion of health and well-being implications. We conclude that age-dependent RF-EMR study results, when considered in the context of developmental stage, indicate increased specific vulnerabilities in the young (fetus to adolescent), the elderly, and those with cancer. There appears to be at least one mechanism other than the known thermal mechanism causing different responses to RF-EMR depending upon the exposure parameters, the cell/physiological process involved, and according to age and health status. As well as personal health and quality-of-life impacts, an ageing population means there are economic implications for public health and policy.

scholarly journals Quality of life among elderly population

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioanna V. Papathanasiou ◽  
Anna Rammogianni ◽  
Dimitros Papagiannis ◽  
Konstantinos Tsaras ◽  
Foteini Kaberi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Health Factors ◽  
The Mean

Introduction: Quality of Life (QoL) among elderly is an important issue that reflects the status of well-being of this vulnerable population. Aim: This study aims to assess quality of life among elderly population and to examine possible correlations with associated demographic, social and health factors. Material and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted, in which 257 elderlies from Greece were participated. For the data collection the WHOQOL-BREF (30-items Greek version) questionnaire was used as well as a questionnaire with questions about demographic data, social & health factors. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means, percentages and standard deviations have been utilized. Inferential statistics such as t-test and pearson r correlation have been used to determined correlations between relevant variables. Level of significance accepted is p < 0.05. Results: From the total 257 elderlies 55.6% (n=143) were women and 44.4% (n=114) were men with a mean age 75.12±8.39. The mean score of overall QoL is 14.14±2.87 and the mean of each factor of WHOQOL-BREF is 13.56±2.79 for physical health, 13.61±2.74 for mental health, 13.72±2.60 for social relationships and 13.70±1.96 for environment. Age, marital status, number of children, level of education, residence area, lifestyle, chronic diseases and serious illnesses are the factors that affects levels of QoL among Greek elderly population Conclusions: Results indicates that levels of QoL between elderly are moderate and many demographic, social and health factors are correlated with QoL status.

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