Associations Between Sociodemographic Variables, Social Determinants of Health, and Diabetes: Findings From a Congregational Health Needs Assessment

Abstract

Purpose: To examine associations between sociodemographic variables, social determinants of health (SDOHs) and diabetes using health needs assessment data.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Faith-based communities in the Mid-South U.S.

Sample: Of the 378 churches, 92 participated in the study (24% response rate); N = 828 church leaders and members completed the survey.

Measure: The Mid-South Congregational Health Survey assessed perceived health-related needs of congregations and the communities they serve.

Analysis: Generalized linear mixed modeling examined the associations between sociodemographic variables (age, sex, race/ethnicity, educational level), SDOHs (affordable healthcare, healthy food, employment), and diabetes.

Results: Individuals with less education had lower odds of reporting all SDOHs as health needs compared to individuals with more education (OR_range = .59-.63). Men had lower odds of reporting diabetes as a health need or concern compared to women (OR = .70; 95% CI = .50, .97). African Americans had greater odds of reporting diabetes as a health need compared to individuals in the 'Other' race/ethnicity category (OR = 3.91; 95% CI = 2.20, 6.94). Individuals who reported affordable healthcare (OR = 2.54; 95% CI = 1.73, 3.72), healthy food (OR = 2.24; 95% CI = 1.55, 3.24), and employment (OR = 3.33; 95% CI = 2.29, 4.84) as health needs had greater odds of reporting diabetes as a health need compared to those who did not report these SDOHs as needs.

Conclusions: Future studies should evaluate strategies to merge healthcare and faith-based organizations' efforts to address SDOHs impacting diabetes.

Keywords: chronic disease; community-based participatory research; faith-based organization; health needs assessment; health priorities.