Assessing childhood health outcome inequalities with area-based socioeconomic measures: a retrospective cross-sectional study using Manitoba population data

Lower Socioeconomic Status is Associated with an Increased Incidence and Spectrum of Major Congenital Heart Disease and Associated Extracardiac Pathology

Several studies have suggested an inverse relationship between lower socioeconomic status (SES) and the incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) among live births. We sought to examine this relationship further in a Canada-wide population study, exploring CHD subtypes, trends, and associated noncardiac abnormalities. Infants born in Canada (less Quebec) from 2008 to 2018 with CHD requiring intervention in the first year were identified using ICD-10 codes through the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database. Births of CHD patients were stratified by SES (census-based income quintiles) and compared against national birth proportions using X2 tests. Proportions with extracardiac defects (ED) and nonlethal genetic syndromes (GS) were also explored. From 2008 to 2018, 7711 infants born with CHD were included. The proportions of major CHD distributed across SES quintiles were 27.1%, 20.1%, 19.2%, 18.6%, and 15.0% from lowest to highest, with significant differences relative to national birth proportions (22.0%, 20.0%, 20.6%, 20.7%, and 16.7% from lowest (1) to highest (5)) (p < 0.0001). No temporal trends in the CHD proportions across SES categories were observed over the study period. The distribution across SES quintiles was different only for specific CHD subtypes (double-outlet right ventricle (n = 485, p = 0.03), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (n = 547, p = 0.006), heterotaxy (n = 224, p = 0.03), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 1007, p = 0.008), truncus arteriosus (n = 126, p < 0.0001), and ventricular septal defect (n = 1916, p < 0.0001)), with highest proportions observed in the lowest quintile. The proportion of the total population with ED but not GS was highest in lower SES quintiles (< 0.0001) commensurate with increased proportion of CHD. Our study suggests a negative association between SES and certain CHD lesions and ED.

Effectiveness of hospital-based strategies for improving childhood immunization coverage: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Hospital settings represent an opportunity to offer and/or promote childhood vaccination. The purpose of the systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of different hospital-based strategies for improving childhood vaccination coverage.

METHODS

A systematic search of multiple bibliographic databases, thesis databases, and relevant websites was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles published up to September 20, 2021. Articles were included if they evaluated the impact of a hospital (inpatient or emergency department)-based intervention on childhood vaccination coverage, were published in English or French, and were conducted in high-income countries. High quality studies were included in a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

We included 25 high quality studies out of 7,845 unique citations. Studies focused on routine, outbreak, and influenza vaccines, and interventions included opportunistic vaccination (i.e. vaccination during hospital visit) (n = 7), patient education (n = 2), community connection (n = 2), patient reminders (n = 2), and opportunistic vaccination combined with patient education and/or reminders (n = 12). Opportunistic vaccination interventions were generally successful at improving vaccine coverage, though results ranged from no impact to vaccinating 71 % of eligible children with routine vaccines and 9-61 % of eligible children with influenza vaccines. Interventions that aimed to increase vaccination after hospital discharge (community connection, patient education, reminders) were less successful.

CONCLUSIONS

Some interventions that provide vaccination to children accessing hospitals improved vaccine coverage; however, the baseline coverage level of the population, as well as implementation strategies used impact success. There is limited evidence that interventions promoting vaccination after hospital discharge are more successful if they are tailored to the individual.

Area Deprivation Index is Associated with Variation in Quality of Life and Psychosocial Well-being Following Breast Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

Neighborhood-level factors have been shown to influence surgical outcomes through material deprivation, psychosocial mechanisms, health behaviors, and access to resources. To date, no study has examined the relationship between area-level deprivation (ADI) and post-mastectomy outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of adult female breast cancer patients who underwent lumpectomy or mastectomy between January 2018 to June 2019 was carried out. Patient-specific characteristics and ADI information were abstracted and correlated with postoperative global- (SF-12) and condition-specific (BREAST-Q) quality-of-life performance via multivariable regression. Patients were classified into three ADI terciles: 0-39 (low deprivation), 40-59 (moderate deprivation), and 60-100 (high deprivation).

RESULTS

A total of 564 consecutive patients were identified, being mostly white (75%) with mean age of 60.2 ± 12.4 years, median body mass index of 27.8 [interquartile range (IQR) 24.3-32.2) kg/m², median Charlson Comorbidity Index of 3 (IQR 2-5), and mean ADI of 42.3 ± 25.7. African American and Hispanic patients and those with high BMI were more likely to reside in highly deprived neighborhoods (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001). In adjusted models, patients in highly deprived neighborhoods had significantly lower mean SF-12 physical (44.9 [95% CI, 43.8-46.0] versus 44.9 [95% CI, 43.7-46.1] versus 46.3 [95% CI, 45.3-47.3], p = 0.03) and BREAST-Q psychosocial well-being scores (63.5 [95% CI, 59.32-67.8] versus 69.3 [95% CI, 65.1-73.6] versus 69.7 [95% CI, 66.4-73.1], p = 0.01) relative to moderate- and low-deprivation groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients residing in the most deprived neighborhoods were identified to have worse psychological well-being and quality-of-life. The ADI should be incorporated into the shared decision-making process and perioperative counseling to engender value-based and personalized care, especially for vulnerable populations.

Impact of Socioeconomic Status and Residence Distance on Infant Heart Disease Outcomes in Canada

Background Socioeconomic status (SES) impacts clinical outcomes associated with severe congenital heart disease (sCHD). We examined the impact of SES and remoteness of residence (RoR) on congenital heart disease (CHD) outcomes in Canada, a jurisdiction with universal health insurance. Methods and Results All infants born in Canada (excluding Quebec) from 2008 to 2018 and hospitalized with CHD requiring intervention in the first year were identified. Neighborhood level SES income quintiles were calculated, and RoR was categorized as residing <100 km, 100 to 299 km, or >300 km from the closest of 7 cardiac surgical programs. In-hospital mortality at <1 year was the primary outcome, adjusted for preterm birth, low birth weight, and extracardiac pathology. Among 7711 infants, 4485 (58.2%) had moderate CHD (mCHD) and 3226 (41.8%) had sCHD. Overall mortality rate was 10.5%, with higher rates in sCHD than mCHD (13.3% versus 8.5%, respectively). More CHD infants were in the lowest compared with the highest SES category (27.1% versus 15.0%, respectively). The distribution of CHD across RoR categories was 52.3%, 21.3%, and 26.4% for <100 km, 100 to 299 km, and >300 km, respectively. Although SES and RoR had no impact on sCHD mortality, infants with mCHD living >300 km had a higher risk of mortality relative to those living <100 km (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.43 [95% CI, 1.11-1.84]). Infants with mCHD within the lowest SES quintile and living farthest away had the highest risk for mortality (aOR, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.08-2.81]). Conclusions In Canada, neither RoR nor SES had an impact on outcomes of infants with sCHD. Greater RoR, however, may contribute to higher risk of mortality among infants with mCHD.

Comparison of Socioeconomic Disparities in Pump Uptake Among Children With Type 1 Diabetes in 2 Canadian Provinces With Different Payment Models

IMPORTANCE

Insulin pumps improve glycemic control and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Canada's provinces have implemented universal pediatric programs to improve access. However, these programs provide differing financial coverage, allowing for unique cross-jurisdictional comparisons.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate possible socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in pump uptake in Québec, where pumps are fully funded, with those in Manitoba, where pumps are partially funded.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Using health administrative databases and a clinical registry, parallel, population-based cohort studies of children with diabetes were conducted from April 1, 2011, in Québec, and April 1, 2012, in Manitoba, until March 31, 2017. In analysis conducted from July 1, 2019, to November 30, 2021, multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to study the association between pump uptake and SES, defined using validated area-based material and social deprivation indices. Children aged 1 to 17 years with T1D were identified using a validated definition in administrative data (Québec) and a clinical registry (Manitoba). Those using pumps before the initiation of provincial programs were excluded.

EXPOSURES

Socioeconomic status.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Insulin pump uptake.

RESULTS

A total of 2919 children with T1D were identified in Québec: 1550 male (53.1%), mean (SD) age at diagnosis, 8.3 (4.4) years, and 1067 (36.6%) were using a pump. In Manitoba, 636 children were identified: 364 male (57.2%), mean (SD) age at diagnosis, 8.8 (4.4) years, and 106 (16.7%) were using a pump. In Québec, the mean age at diagnosis of T1D was lower in children using the pump compared with those not using a pump (7.6 [4.1] vs 8.7 [4.5] years); sex distribution was similar (562 [52.7%] vs 988 [53.3%] male). No differences in mean (SD) age at diagnosis (8.8 [4.4] vs 8.8 [4.3] years) or sex (57 [53.8%] vs 307 [57.9%] male) were noted in both groups in Manitoba. Increasing material deprivation was associated with decreased pump uptake in both Québec (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.89; 95% CI, 0.85-0.93) and Manitoba (aHR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.60-0.82). Inclusion of ethnic concentration did not change this association. Socioeconomic disparities in pump uptake were greater in Manitoba than Québec (P = .006 by t test; Cochran Q, 8.15; P = .004; I2 = 87.7%; 95% CI, 52.5%-96.8%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The results of this study suggest that the program of full coverage for pumps available in Québec partially mitigates observed SES disparities in uptake and may be a model to improve access for all children with T1D.

Survey of public library use in the Ambulatory Clinic in the Children’s Hospital Winnipeg

Introduction

Recent studies highlight synergies for families receiving early childhood literacy support from their health care provider and public library, with more reading at home and higher quality book-sharing interactions. Our primary objective was to determine the percentage of Children’s Hospital Winnipeg Ambulatory Clinic’s patients who had ever used a public library. The clinic has a longstanding early-childhood literacy program and serves remote communities and low-income Winnipeg families.

Methods

A structured survey was administered to parents or legal guardians by the first author. It explored library barriers and covariates that might affect library use. Analysis included descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model for predictors of library use.

Results

Ninety-seven nearly consecutive surveys were administered, half prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most respondents were female, from Winnipeg, and in the two lowest neighbourhood income quintiles. Roughly half (46.4%) of children had used a library. Most respondents wanted health care providers to promote literacy and provide information about public libraries, and more supported in-clinic distribution of books. The number of children per household positively predicted library use, possibly a proxy for experience with community resources. About 2/3 of respondents believed that library fines should be abolished. Most identified other barriers, for example, inconvenient hours, distance, or concerns about COVID-19.

Conclusion

Less than half of surveyed families used public libraries, citing multiple barriers, including fines. Moreover, not all health care providers can offer new books and anticipatory guidance. Clinics that promote use of public libraries may therefore represent a low-cost, stand-alone alternative.

A comparison of two neighborhood-level socioeconomic indexes in the United States

socioeconomic indexes that capture information about wealth, education, employment, and housing are in wide use in public health. Here we compare the widely used Area Deprivation Index (ADI) to the Yost index. Though they are derived largely from the same data, there are substantial differences between the two. Examination of the geographic areas where the two indexes are most dissimilar suggest that the Yost index has greater face validity and that the ADI is highly sensitive to locations with incomplete census data and with census data containing outliers.