Socioeconomic status influences chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk. Socioeconomic disparities intertwine with racial, geographic and health care disparities. One result: “CKD hotspots” with higher than average incidence of CKD. The underlying causes of hotspots include higher rates of risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and issues related to social determinants of health (SDOH), such as poverty and race and ethnic disparities.
To improve CKD outcomes, health care providers should examine non-pharmaceutical interventions that address the socioeconomic factors that impact health and wellness. It’s a complicated web to untangle, but it’s often a crucial step toward improving CKD patients’ health and quality of life.