229 - Social Determinants of Health Impacting Caries Risk of Kings County Individuals

Purpose: Understanding social determinants of health (SDOH) given the impacted it has on health outcomes in modern healthcare is crucial in understanding the Kings County community.

Methods: In this research, a mixed-methods approach combining prospective surveys with retrospective epidemiological analysis of Kings County was utilized. A 10-question survey was administered to 168 patients at One Brooklyn Health (OBH) and covered demographic, economic, insurance coverage, income levels, education levels, food insecurity, policy utilization, household compositions, and living conditions. By addressing these factors, the aim of this study is to promote health equity, eliminate barriers, improve accessibility, and shift towards preventive care.

Results: Analyzing the SDOH between Interfaith and Brookdale hospital sites of OBH revealed notable findings. While age distributions and educational backgrounds were similar, differences in income levels highlighted potential economic disparities impacting health outcomes. Both sites exhibited a high proportion of African American patients, surpassing Kings County's demographic representation.

Conclusion: This emphasizes the importance of addressing economic disparities and understanding the nuanced impact of social determinants on health outcomes in the Kings County region.