Widespread and widely widening? Examining absolute socioeconomic health inequalities in northern Sweden across twelve health indicators

Are relative educational inequalities in multiple health behaviors widening? A longitudinal study of middle-aged adults in Northern Norway

Introduction

Educational inequality in multiple health behaviors is rarely monitored using data from the same individuals as they age. The aim of this study is to research changes in relative educational inequality in multiple variables related to health behavior (smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, and body mass index), separately and collectively (healthy lifestyle), among middle-aged adults living in Northern Norway.

Methods

Data from adult respondents aged 32-87 in 2008 with repeated measurements in 2016 (N = 8,906) were drawn from the sixth and seventh waves of the Tromsø Study. Logistic regression was used to assess the relative educational inequality in the variables related to health behavior. The analyses were performed for the total sample and separately for women and men at both baseline and follow-up.

Results

Educational inequality was observed in all the variables related to health behavior at baseline and follow-up, in both men and women. Higher levels of educational attainment were associated with healthier categories (non-daily smoking, physical activity, normal body mass index, and a healthy lifestyle), but also with high alcohol intake. The prevalence of daily smoking and physical inactivity decreased during the surveyed period, while high alcohol intake, having a body mass index outside of the normal range and adhering to multiple health recommendations simultaneously increased. The magnitude of relative educational inequality measured at baseline increased at the follow-up in all the variables related to health behavior. Differences were larger among women when compared to men, except in physical inactivity.

Conclusion

Persistent and increasing relative disparities in health behavior between the highest education level and lower education levels are found in countries with well-established and comprehensive welfare systems like Norway. Addressing these inequalities is essential for reducing both the chronic disease burden and educational disparities in health.

The clustering of multiple health and lifestyle behaviors among Swedish adolescents: a person-oriented analysis

Background

Knowledge of the distribution, prevalence, and clustering of multiple health and lifestyle related behaviors (HLBs) among adolescents can inform the development of effective health-promoting policies and interventions. We assessed the clustering of multiple HLBs among 11, 13 and 15-year-old Swedish adolescents and examined the socioeconomic and demographic correlates for the identified clusters.

Methods

We used data from the 2017/2018 Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged children (HBSC) study to conduct sex and age-stratified latent class analysis (LCA). The LCA was based on five HLBs: eating behavior and habits (EBH), physical activity (PA), tobacco usage (TU), alcohol consumption (AC) and sleeping habits and patterns (SHPs). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between the identified clusters and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of adolescents and their parents.

Results

Health behaviors varied by sex and age. Four distinct clusters were identified based on sex: cluster 1 (Mixed eating behaviors and habits, physical activity and low alcohol consumption), cluster 2 (Healthy lifestyle behaviors), cluster 3 (Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), and cluster 4 (Breakfast, low alcohol consumption and tobacco usage). In the age-stratified analyzes, three clusters were identified: cluster 1 (Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), cluster 2 (Moderately healthy lifestyle behaviors) and cluster 3 (Healthy lifestyle behaviors). The multinomial analysis showed that sex, age, family situation and perceived family wealth were strong predictors of health behaviors. Unhealthy behaviors were most commonly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, having a migrant background, and living in reconstructed families or single-parent households.

Conclusion

Health behaviors vary significantly based on socioeconomic and demographic circumstances. Targeted policies and intervention programs are necessary to improve HLBs among vulnerable and at-risk adolescents.

Changes in prevalence and in educational inequalities in Brazilian health behaviors between 2013 and 2019

Considering the relevance of health behaviors for chronic diseases prevalence and mortality and the increase in income concentration observed in the world and in Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate the changes in the prevalence and in the educational inequalities of Brazilian adult health behaviors between 2013 and 2019. We analyzed data of 49,025 and 65,803 adults (18-59 years of age) from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS), 2013 and 2019. Prevalence of health behaviors (smoking, alcohol intake, diet, physical activity and sedentarism) were estimated for three educational strata, for both surveys. Prevalence ratios (PR) between year of survey and between educational strata were estimated by Poisson regression models. Significant reductions were found in the prevalence of smoking, physical inactivity, sedentarism, insufficient consumption of fruits, and the excessive consumption of sweetened beverages. However, an increase was observed in alcohol consumption and binge drinking; vegetable consumption remained stable. Contrasting the favorable change in some behaviors, inequalities among schooling strata remained very high in 2019, specially for smoking (PR = 2.82; 95%CI: 2.49-3.20), passive smoking (PR = 2.88; 95%CI: 2.56-3.23) and physical inactivity (PR = 2.02; 95%CI: 1.92-2.13). There was a significant increase in the educational inequality regarding physical inactivity (21%), insufficient intake of fruit (8%) and in the frequent consumption of sweetened beverages (32%). The persistence and enlargement of inequalities highlight the behaviors and social segments that should be special targets for policies and programs focused in promoting healthy lifestyles.

Swedish registered nurses' perceptions of caring for patients with intellectual and developmental disability: A qualitative descriptive study

Patients with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) are often misinterpreted and misunderstood. Studies show that, in general, healthcare professionals have limited knowledge about IDD, and registered nurses (RNs) often report feeling unprepared to support this group of patients. Therefore, more knowledge about how to adequately address care for this patient group is warranted. This qualitative study employs an interpretative descriptive design to explore and describe Swedish RNs' perceptions of caring for patients with IDD, here in a home-care setting. Twenty RNs were interviewed between September 2018 and May 2019, and the resulting data were analysed through an inductive qualitative content analysis. The study adheres to consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). Our analysis found that nurses' perceptions of caring for patients with an IDD could be understood from three overarching categories: nursing held hostage in the context of care, care dependent on intuition and proven experience and contending for the patients' right to adequate care. Our findings show that the home-care context and organisation were not adjusted to the needs of the patients. This resulted in RNs feeling unable to provide care in accordance with their professional values. They also explained that they had not mastered the available augmentative and alternative communication tools, instead using support staff as interpreters for their patients. Finally, on a daily basis, the RNs caring for this group of patients took an active stance and fought for the patients' right to receive the right care at the right time by the right person. This was particularly the case with issues involving psychiatric care.

Association between health behaviors and depression: findings from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association of depression with various health behaviors and to verify if they differ according to gender or income.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study based on data of 65,803 Brazilian adults (18-59 years old) interviewed in the National Health Survey, conducted in 2019. Presence or absence of depression was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. The prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and food indicators were estimated according to the presence of depression. Stratified analyses were made according to sex and income, and prevalence ratios were estimated using the Poisson Regression.

RESULTS

We found a significant association between depression and all indicators studied, except occasional alcohol consumption. Depression was associated with heavy episodic drinking and insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables only in women. In men, the associations of depression with sedentary lifestyle and with being a former smoker were stronger than in women. The occasional consumption of alcohol was more prevalent only in men without depression. The analysis stratified by income showed that the association of depression with physical inactivity is stronger in the higher-income group, while with heavy episodic drinking is only significant in the lower-income stratum.

CONCLUSION

The results point to the need to consider mental health in programs aimed at reducing harmful health behaviors and the specificity of sociodemographic groups.

Trends and Regional Variation in Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Association With Socioeconomic Status in Canada, 2005-2016

IMPORTANCE

Cardiovascular disease remains the second leading cause of death in Canada. Monitoring and tracking the trends and disparities in major cardiovascular risk factors could provide benchmarks for future cardiovascular health strategies.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the temporal trends, regional variations, and socioeconomic disparities in major cardiovascular risk factors in Canada from 2005 to 2016.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This repeated cross-sectional survey study included adults aged 20 years and older from 6 Canadian Community Health Survey cycles between 2005 and 2016. Cardiovascular risk factors included hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and current smoking. Socioeconomic status was measured using equivalized household income. Data analysis was performed from September 2019 to April 2020.

EXPOSURES

A total of 112 health regions and socioeconomic status.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and current smoking by year; health regions; and socioeconomic status. Absolute numbers were rounded to base 100 for confidentiality purposes, and percentages were based on weighted numbers. Slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) were calculated to assess absolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 670 000 respondents (329 000 [49.1%] men; 341 000 [50.9%] women) aged 20 years and older from 6 survey cycles were enrolled for this study. The largest age group was those aged 40 to 59 years (eg, 2005 cycle: 40.2% [95% CI, 39.9%-40.6%]). In the 2015/2016 cycle, the overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and current smoking were 20.7% (95% CI, 20.4%-21.1%), 7.2% (95% CI, 7.0%-7.5%), 20.1% (95% CI, 19.7%-20.6%), and 17.8% (95% CI, 17.4%-18.2%), respectively. From 2005 to 2016, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity (eg, prevalence of diabetes in both sexes, 2005: 5.8% [95% CI, 5.6%-6.0%]; 2015/2016: 7.2% [95% CI, 7.0%-7.5%]; P < .001) but a significant decrease in the prevalence of current smoking (both sexes, 2005: 22.1% [95% CI, 21.7%-22.5%]; 2015/2016: 17.8% [95% CI, 17.4%-18.2%]; P < .001). The prevalence of all the risk factors varied widely across health regions (eg, obesity, Vancouver Health Service Delivery Area: 6.7% [95% CI, 4.5%-9.0%]; Miramichi Area: 36.8% [95% CI, 27.3%-46.3%]). In addition to obesity among men, all risk factors tended to be more common among those with lower income (eg, prevalence of hypertension in both sexes, 2015/2016, lowest income group: 23.2% [95% CI, 22.4%-24.0%]; highest income group: 18.4% [95% CI, 17.7%-19.1%]). The SII and RII indicated consistent absolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities in hypertension, diabetes, and current smoking over time (eg, RII for hypertension in both sexes, 2005: 1.25; 95% CI, 1.18-1.33; 2015/2016: 1.34; 95% CI, 1.26-1.43). However, the phenomenon of absolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities in obesity was only observed among women (eg, RII for 2015/2016 for obesity in women; 1.74 (95% CI, 1.56-1.93); men: 1.09; 95% CI, 0.99-1.21).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

During the study period, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity significantly increased, while the prevalence of current smoking significantly decreased. Geographic and socioeconomic gaps should be considered and addressed in future interventions and policies targeted at reducing these cardiovascular risk factors in Canada.