Variation in multimorbidity by sociodemographics and social drivers of health among patients seen at community-based health centers

Purpose: Understanding variation in multimorbidity across sociodemographics and social drivers of health is critical to reducing health inequities.

Methods: From the multi-state OCHIN network of community-based health centers (CBHCs), we identified a cross-sectional cohort of adult (> 25 years old) patients who had a visit between 2019-2021. We used generalized linear models to examine the relationship between the Multimorbidity Weighted Index (MWI) and sociodemographics and social drivers of health (Area Deprivation Index [ADI] and social risks [e.g., food insecurity]). Each model included an interaction term between the primary predictor and age to examine if certain groups had a higher MWI at younger ages.

Results: Among 642,730 patients, 28.2% were Hispanic/Latino, 42.8% were male, and the median age was 48. The median MWI was 2.05 (IQR: 0.34, 4.87) and was higher for adults over the age of 40 and American Indians and Alaska Natives. The regression model revealed a higher MWI at younger ages for patients living in areas of higher deprivation. Additionally, patients with social risks had a higher MWI (3.16; IQR: 1.33, 6.65) than those without (2.13; IQR: 0.34, 4.89) and the interaction between age and social risk suggested a higher MWI at younger ages.

Conclusions: Greater multimorbidity at younger ages and among those with social risks and living in areas of deprivation shows possible mechanisms for the premature aging and disability often seen in community-based health centers and highlights the need for comprehensive approaches to improving the health of vulnerable populations.