DOI: 10.1177/17423953261491393 ISSN: 1742-3953

Social determinants and health-related social needs associated with physical and mental distress among U.S. adults with COPD

Michael Stellefson, Min Qi Wang, Olivia Campbell, Sabrina Mousum

Objectives

This study investigated the prevalence of adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) and health-related social needs (HRSN) and their associations with physical and mental distress among U.S. adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

Data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was analyzed for respondents across 37 U.S. states who self-reported COPD and completed the Social Determinants and Health Equity module. Weighted prevalence estimates and logistic regression models evaluated associations between SDOH, HRSN, and self-reported physical/mental health, controlling for demographics.

Results

Among 32,962 respondents with COPD, social isolation (23.08%) and mental stress (24.80%) were common. Females experienced high rates of food insecurity (65.59%) and housing insecurity (65.90%). Social isolation (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.83–1.85) and life dissatisfaction (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 2.09–2.11) were associated with increased odds of frequent physical distress. For mental distress, life dissatisfaction (OR = 5.07, 95% CI: 5.04–5.10), stress (OR = 7.11, 95% CI: 7.07–7.14), and transportation barriers (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 2.14–2.16) were associated with increased odds.

Discussion

Social isolation, life dissatisfaction, stress, and transportation barriers were associated with increased physical and mental distress in COPD.