Area-Level Income Disparities and the Timing of First Ischemic Stroke: Insights From the 2019 National Inpatient...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Socioeconomic status significantly influences health outcomes, including the age of first ischemic stroke.
• Investigating the link between income and stroke incidence is crucial for understanding health inequalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between ZIP-code level median income and the age of first ischemic stroke.
• To identify disparities in stroke onset age based on socioeconomic status, race, and sex.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the 2019 National Inpatient Sample database, identifying patients over 18 with ischemic stroke.
• Employed multivariate linear regression, adjusting for sex, race, patient location, and comorbidities.
• Analyzed the impact of area-level income on the age at first ischemic stroke.

Main Results:

• The average age of first ischemic stroke was 70.1 years; individuals in the lowest income group had strokes 4.3 years earlier than the highest income group.
• After adjustments, higher income was associated with a 2.1-year delay in first ischemic stroke onset.
• Disparities were observed across racial and sex groups, with White individuals and women experiencing strokes at younger ages.

Conclusions:

• Lower income levels are significantly associated with a younger age at first ischemic stroke.
• Socioeconomic status-related disparities in stroke incidence are evident, particularly affecting White individuals and women.
• Further research is needed to explore the underlying factors contributing to these disparities.