Sociodemographic Patterns of Chronic Disease: How the Mid-South Region Compares to the Rest of the Country

Abstract

Introduction: States in the Mid-South region are among the least healthy in the nation. This descriptive study examines sociodemographic differences in the distribution of chronic diseases and health-related behaviors in the Mid-South versus the rest of the U.S., identifying subgroups at increased risk of chronic disease.

Methods: Data were obtained from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; analyses were completed in January 2016. Twelve chronic health conditions were assessed: obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic kidney disease, cancer, arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and depression. Evaluated health-related behaviors included smoking, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Age-standardized percentages were reported using complex survey design parameters to enhance generalizability.

Results: The Mid-South population had increased rates of chronic disease and worse health-related behaviors than the rest of the U.S.

Population: Mid-South blacks had the highest percentages of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke of all subgroups, along with lower physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. In both races and regions, individuals with lower income and education had higher rates of chronic disease and unhealthy behaviors than those with higher income and education. However, black men in both regions had higher obesity and cancer rates in the higher education category. In general, education-level disparities were more pronounced in health-related behaviors, whereas income-level disparities were more pronounced in chronic health conditions.

Conclusions: Future studies should test tailored interventions to address the specific needs of population subgroups in order to improve their health.

Figure 1

Percentage difference between income strata for physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption, 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Note: Difference is calculated as ≥$25K strata minus <$25K strata. Positive estimates indicate that the <$25K income strata has a lower estimated percentage, indicative of lower physical activity or worse healthy eating habits.

Figure 2

Percentage differences between income strata for chronic health conditions (CHCs), 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Note: Difference is calculated as ≥$25K strata minus <$25K strata. Negative estimates indicate that the <$25K income strata has higher percentage of CHCs, indicative of worse health status. COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Figure 3

Percentage difference between education strata for physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption, 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Note: Difference is calculated as >high-school education strata minus ≤high-school education strata. Positive estimates indicate that the ≤high-school education strata had a lower estimated percentage, indicative of lower physical activity or worse eating habits.

Figure 4

Percentage differences between education strata for chronic health conditions (CHCs), 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Note: Difference is calculated as >high-school education strata minus ≤high-school education strata. Negative estimates indicate that the ≤high-school education strata had higher percentage of CHCs, indicative of worse health status. COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease