학술논문
The Distressed Communities Index: A Measure of Community-Level Economic Deprivation and Rate of Firearm Injuries in Maryland.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Akinyemi OA; Department of Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.; Weldeslase TA; Department of Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.; Hughes K; Department of Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.; Williams M; Department of Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.; Cornwell EE 3rd; Department of Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
Source
Publisher: SAGE Publications in association with Southeastern Surgical Congress Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0370522 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1555-9823 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00031348 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am Surg Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between community-level economic deprivation, as measured by the Distressed Communities Index (DCI) and ED visits on account of firearm injuries (assaults and unintentional).
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the Maryland State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) from January 2019 to December 2020 to explore the association between the DCI and ED visits because of firearm injuries (assaults and unintentional). The DCI utilizes 7 variables, based on zip codes, generating 5 levels of socioeconomic distress (prosperous, comfortable, mid-tier, at-risk, and distressed). In a multivariate analysis, we adjusted for age, sex, mental conditions, alcohol addiction, substance abuse, smoking, race/ethnicity, insurance type, and median income.
Results: Of the 2725 ED visits for firearm injuries, 84.5% were Black and 88.5% male. The median age was 27 (21-35) years, and the mortality rate was 17.7%. A statistically significant association was found between economic deprivation and ED visits for firearm injuries. Compared to prosperous communities, the odds ratios (ORs) were comfortable (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71, P = .03), mid-tier (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.33-2.15, P < .001), at-risk (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.17-1.99, P < .001), and distressed (OR = 2.65, 95% CI 2.11-3.33, P < .001).
Discussion: The study highlights the significant association between community-level economic deprivation, as measured by the Distressed Communities Index, and the incidence of firearm injuries in Maryland. The findings underscore the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities and implementing targeted interventions to reduce firearm-related injuries in economically distressed communities.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the Maryland State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) from January 2019 to December 2020 to explore the association between the DCI and ED visits because of firearm injuries (assaults and unintentional). The DCI utilizes 7 variables, based on zip codes, generating 5 levels of socioeconomic distress (prosperous, comfortable, mid-tier, at-risk, and distressed). In a multivariate analysis, we adjusted for age, sex, mental conditions, alcohol addiction, substance abuse, smoking, race/ethnicity, insurance type, and median income.
Results: Of the 2725 ED visits for firearm injuries, 84.5% were Black and 88.5% male. The median age was 27 (21-35) years, and the mortality rate was 17.7%. A statistically significant association was found between economic deprivation and ED visits for firearm injuries. Compared to prosperous communities, the odds ratios (ORs) were comfortable (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71, P = .03), mid-tier (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.33-2.15, P < .001), at-risk (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.17-1.99, P < .001), and distressed (OR = 2.65, 95% CI 2.11-3.33, P < .001).
Discussion: The study highlights the significant association between community-level economic deprivation, as measured by the Distressed Communities Index, and the incidence of firearm injuries in Maryland. The findings underscore the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities and implementing targeted interventions to reduce firearm-related injuries in economically distressed communities.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.