Moody’s study on social determinants across U.S. finds they’re less strongly correlated mental health disorders

Moody’s Analytics report supports the idea that the social determinants of health significantly drive the impact of chronic diseases and other clinical conditions. However, the report found that social determinants are less strongly correlated with the impact of mental health issues and they don’t drive the impact of unique conditions like cancer or substance abuse. The report found worse outcomes in densely populated urban areas - places that report lower levels of depression and substance abuse. But this doesn’t mean that there are fewer cases in these areas. Moody’s says these findings suggest individuals in rural areas are less likely to be diagnosed and get treatment. Other findings from the report include:

• Hypertension had the second-highest impact on overall health (0.51% of quality years lost) and diabetes had the third (0.45% years lost);
• Behaviour was the second-most important factor in explaining variation, accounting for almost half the variation in COPD and hypertension, and one-third of the variation in coronary artery disease and diabetes;
• Education had a mixed effect, with a college degree improving the diabetes impact score, but worsening the hyperactivity score; and
• The effects of aging were inconsistent, with the 65 and older population having a worse effect on seven out of ten conditions and overall health, but having an improved effect on hyperactivity, depression and substance abuse disorder.