Socio-Economic Status and Diabetes Care Access
Author Information
Author(s): Doreen M Rabi, Alun L Edwards, Danielle A Southern, Lawrence W Svenson, Peter M Sargious, Peter Norton, Eric T Larsen, William A Ghali
Primary Institution: University of Calgary
Hypothesis
Is income associated with referral to diabetes care within a universal health care system?
Conclusion
Low income is linked to a higher prevalence of diabetes and a higher rate of referral to diabetes care, but there is no access bias based on income.
Supporting Evidence
- Low income populations have a higher prevalence of diabetes.
- Referral rates for diabetes care are higher in lower income quintiles.
- Education and age are significant factors in diabetes risk and referral rates.
Takeaway
People with low income are more likely to have diabetes and get referred to diabetes care, but everyone gets the same chance to see a specialist.
Methodology
Data was collected from a regional Diabetes Education Centre, the Canadian National Diabetes Surveillance System, and the 2001 Canadian Census, using Chi square analyses and Poisson regression.
Potential Biases
Potential ecological fallacy due to neighborhood-level data not accurately reflecting individual circumstances.
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional and may not represent other regions; it also relies on neighborhood income as a proxy for individual income.
Participant Demographics
Participants were from a single health region in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.0005
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.013–1.015
Statistical Significance
p<0.0005
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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