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Population Health

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Population Health

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Population Health

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Population Health

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Community/Public Health

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated metrics of DM in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a low-income and medically underserved region in the United States, and compare these metrics to the national averages from 2012 to 2022.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publicly accessible data. Metrics analyzed included DM prevalence, average principal cost, rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, screenings, and prevalence of obesity. Data from RGV counties were compared to national averages using Mann-Whitney U tests, with a p-value of

Results: From 2012 to 2022, DM affected patients in the RGV (43.95%) at significantly higher rates than the national average (26.73%) (p < 0.001). Obesity prevalence in the RGV was at higher rates than the national average (24.41% vs. 15.55%, p < 0.01). DM screening rates exceeded the national average (10.64% vs. 5.09%, p < 0.001). The average principal cost for patients in the RGV ($1,920.45) to treat DM is significantly greater than the national average principal cost ($859.64) (p < 0.001). The RGV also reported higher rates of ED visits (16.82 vs. 8.82 per 1,000 beneficiaries, p < 0.001) and hospitalizations (7.75 vs. 3.82 per 1,000 beneficiaries, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The RGV exhibits significantly higher rates of DM and DM-associated metrics compared to the national averages, highlighting substantial public health disparities.

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The Burden of Diabetes Mellitus in the Medically Underserved Rio Grande Valley

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated metrics of DM in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a low-income and medically underserved region in the United States, and compare these metrics to the national averages from 2012 to 2022.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publicly accessible data. Metrics analyzed included DM prevalence, average principal cost, rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, screenings, and prevalence of obesity. Data from RGV counties were compared to national averages using Mann-Whitney U tests, with a p-value of

Results: From 2012 to 2022, DM affected patients in the RGV (43.95%) at significantly higher rates than the national average (26.73%) (p < 0.001). Obesity prevalence in the RGV was at higher rates than the national average (24.41% vs. 15.55%, p < 0.01). DM screening rates exceeded the national average (10.64% vs. 5.09%, p < 0.001). The average principal cost for patients in the RGV ($1,920.45) to treat DM is significantly greater than the national average principal cost ($859.64) (p < 0.001). The RGV also reported higher rates of ED visits (16.82 vs. 8.82 per 1,000 beneficiaries, p < 0.001) and hospitalizations (7.75 vs. 3.82 per 1,000 beneficiaries, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The RGV exhibits significantly higher rates of DM and DM-associated metrics compared to the national averages, highlighting substantial public health disparities.

 

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