Gaps in Health Based On Socioeconomic Status
Gaps in Health Based On Socioeconomic Status
- In the London Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), the group with the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) had 4.7 times the rate of hospitalizations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than the group with the highest SES. Those with the lowest SES also had higher rates of anxiety disorders (4.5 times higher), substance-related disorders (4.2 times higher), diabetes (3.5 times higher) and ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) (3.5 times higher) than the group with the highest SES. (Fig. 2.34).
- In the London CMA, the rate of smoking was 2.5 times higher in the group with the lowest SES than in the group with the highest SES. Those with the lowest SES also had higher rates of multiple risk factors (three or more of: physical inactivity, being overweight or obese, smoking, or alcohol bingeing), with the rate being 2.1 times higher than the group with the highest SES (Fig. 2.35).
- The gap of 4.7 for COPD hospitalization rates in the London CMA was the largest among all CMAs studied. Similarly, the gap of 2.5 for smoking in the London CMA was the largest of all CMAs studied. Smoking is the most important risk factor for developing COPD.
How frequently various health conditions and health-related behaviours occur in a community are known to be associated with the socioeconomic characteristics of that community. A national study released in 2008 showed that rates of hospitalization for various conditions and rates of certain health behaviours in 15 Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) across Canada increased as the socioeconomic status worsened (CIHI, 2008).
For each CMA, the rates of various health outcomes and behaviours were compared between those with low socioeconomic status (SES) and those with high SES, producing a ratio or ‘gap’. A ratio of 1.0 means there was no difference between the two groups. The rates of health outcomes and behaviours studied consistently favoured those in the high SES group over the low SES group.
Population Health Assessment and Surveillance Protocol - Section 1, Subsections b-i
Chronic Disease Prevention Standard - Requirement #2
Jargon Explained
How was SES determined in the Gaps in Health Based on Socioeconomic Status Section?
Socioeconomic status (SES) was based on a deprivation index composed of the following factors: percent without high school diploma, percent employed, average income, percent of single-parent families, percent of persons living alone, and percent of persons separated, divorced or widowed.
What is the SES gap?
The 'gap' in health indicators was measured by a ratio of the rate in the low Socioeconomic status (SES) group to the rate in the high SES group
Census Metropolitan Area
Area consisting of one or more adjacent municipalities situated around a major urban core. To form a census metropolitan area, the urban core must have a population of at least 100,000. To form a census agglomeration, the urban core must have a population of at least 10,000.
What is the London CMA?
The London CMA includes the municipalities of London, St. Thomas, as well as Thames Centre, Middlesex Centre, Strathroy-Caradoc, Adelaide Metcalfe, Central Elgin and Southwold.
What are the Risk Factors in the Gaps in Health Based on Socioeconomic Status Section?
The percentage of the population with three or more of the following risk factors: physical inactivity, self-reported as being overweight or obesity, smoking, or alcohol bingeing.