Date of Conferral

12-10-2025

Date of Award

December 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Magdeline Aagard

Abstract

Hispanic adults in the United States experience disparities in chronic disease detection and outcomes, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Social determinants of health (SDoH), including economic stability, healthcare access, and food security, play a crucial role in shaping health risks and diagnostic opportunities in this population. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between selected SDoH factors and self-reported IBD diagnosis among U.S. Hispanic adults. This study utilized survey data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey (n = 29,457). Weighted descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationships between variables while controlling for age, gender, and employment status. The weighted sample represented 45.3 million Hispanic adults, of whom 1.1% reported a diagnosis of IBD. All three predictors were significantly associated with IBD diagnosis. Individuals living below the poverty threshold (OR = 0.785, 95% CI [0.779, 0.791], p < .001), near the poverty threshold (OR = 0.533, 95% CI [0.529, 0.537], p < .001), and those without access to healthcare (OR = 0.531, 95% CI [0.523, 0.538], p < .001) had significantly lower odds of reporting IBD. Conversely, respondents experiencing low food security (OR = 1.303, 95% CI [1.291, 1.314], p < .001) and very low food security (OR = 1.775, 95% CI [1.757, 1.793], p < .001) had significantly higher odds of reporting IBD. These findings demonstrate that structural and social conditions may influence diagnostic patterns in IBD among Hispanic adults. This research has the potential to contribute to positive social change by promoting equitable access to early detection and comprehensive care for Hispanic adults affected by IBD in the United States.

Download

Included in

Epidemiology Commons

Share

 
COinS