By randomly selected and extensively documented 810 people aged 35 to 64 years,the data were analyzed to establish prevalence of obesity and diabetes and other markers of poor health such as elevated glycated hemoglobin levels.
Rates of obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) were 57% in the first (lower) of 4 socioeconomic strata by income and were 55.5% in the third (higher). People in the higher socioeconomic stratum were significantly less likely to have undiagnosed diabetes (2% vs 9%). Among people aged 55 to 64 years, rates of diabetes were significantly higher among those in the lower socioeconomic stratum than among those in the higher stratum. Rates of undiagnosed diabetes had similar differences. Approximately three fourths of the respondents reported having no health insurance, and there is no difference between people in different socioeconomic strata.
Rates of obesity and diabetes in this border community are among the highest in the United States. Belonging to the lower socioeconomic stratum significantly increased the likelihood of having undiagnosed diabetes and, in patients too young to be eligible for Medicare, the overall risk of developing diabetes. Modest improvement in income has a beneficial effect on health in this racial/ethnic minority community.
On the other hand,the use of GIS is to visualize the spatial distribution of households by income quartile and the density of sampling. They geocoded households by using latitude and longitude coordinates collected by global positioning system, and crosschecked with the street addresses to ensure accuracy.
Source: Fisher-Hoch, S. P., Rentfro, A. R., Wilson, J. G., Salinas, J. J., Reininger, B. M., Restrepo, B. I., ... & Hanis, C. M. (2010). Peer Reviewed: Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Obesity and Diabetes in a Mexican American Community, Cameron County, Texas, 2004-2007. Preventing chronic disease,7(3).
This analyses delves into socioeconomic status' impact on the human health. This summary analyses key factors from the article which would contribute to a healthier or unhealthier lifestyle such as socioeconomic status and the validity of health insurance. It is important to study these trends when reviewing health care and economic policies.
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