Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), a type of pulmonary hypertension, is an acute incurable condition that occurs when pulmonary artery pressure is greater than 20 mm Hg and is further induced by pulmonary vascular remodeling. While this can be prompted by direct causes like congenital heart defects or drug misuse, there are a multitude of other factors that should be considered like the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). This project investigates the relationship between the SDOH through the BIG GEMS factors and pulmonary vascular remodeling. The overarching purpose of this study is to provide a collective insight into the factors that should be considered when approaching pulmonary vascular treatment and prevention, which may heavily involve large-scale changes related to the SDOH. An SDOH score was utilized to assess the effects of social risk factors into quartiles of increasing disadvantage. Information collected and experiments reviewed in this study were obtained from published studies using the NCBI database, published text, and clinical trials. The correlation analysis of the Social Determinants of Health and pulmonary vascular remodeling was conducted using data from a retrospective cohort study on 2229 patients at the University of Miami Health System who answered an SDOH survey from September 2016 to September 2017. The results on the SDOH quartile showed that individuals with Hispanic backgrounds, unemployed, higher Framingham Risk Scores, long-term smoking habits, and lack of physical exercise belonged to the upper quartile of SDOH scores and were, therefore, more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases like pulmonary hypertension. Recommendations to reduce healthcare disparities and improve pulmonary hypertension treatment outcomes in underrepresented minorities include non-pharmacological methods like community outreach and public health programs, increasing representation in major trials, recognition of social determinants of health, improving access to care, earlier recognition and diagnosis, and improving the treatment of related conditions.
Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling In Relation to the Social Determinants of Health
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Student Abstract Submission