Association Between Social Determinants of Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Neuroscience
• Health Equity

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents a significant global health challenge, disproportionately affecting minority and low-socioeconomic status populations.
• Health inequities in TBI outcomes necessitate the investigation of social determinants of health (SDoH).

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the association between social determinants of health (SDoH) and the risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using the Ovid MEDLINE/Embase databases.
• The World Health Organization's Commission on SDoH conceptual framework guided the literature summarization.
• Fifty-nine full-text articles were included, with five focusing on low- and middle-income countries.

Main Results:

• Structural SDoH, including lower educational attainment and income, were significantly associated with increased odds of TBI.
• Minority populations demonstrated higher odds of TBI compared to White counterparts.
• Intermediate SDoH, such as rurality, work environment, medical conditions, substance use, and adversity, were also linked to TBI risk.

Conclusions:

• Socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity are critical structural determinants influencing TBI risk.
• Environmental and individual-level factors further mediate TBI risk.
• Further research into under-explored SDoH and the broader TBI continuum is warranted to inform targeted interventions.