Social Determinants of Health: Evaluation Using Rates of Vision Screening and Follow-up Examinations
College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2024-06-04 07:51:39
Major
Biomedical Science
Honors Course
499-002
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2024
Abstract
Vision care is essential to the quality of life of young children, impacting them over the course of their lives. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) affect the likelihood of a child having access to appropriate care specified by the Bright Futures. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of SDOH on the completion of vision screening and the rate of follow-up with an eye care provider when applicable. In addition, rates of instrument-based vision screening and recommended ophthalmology follow-up were compared with COI, a metric assessing the quality of resources available and the conditions that matter for the healthy development of children. Using two clinics with disparate populations (Locust Pediatrics and ACH Pediatrics Green), we collected data including language, ethnicity, race, and COI using retrospective chart review and analyzed using t-tests and logistic regression. Locust Pediatrics was found to serve a more demographically diverse population, but there wasn’t a statistically significant difference in the likelihood of having a vision screening. Patients at Locust Pediatrics were more likely to be referred to an ophthalmologist than Green patients. Race, ethnicity, and state-normed COI were not found to negatively affect rates of vision screening, but English-speaking patients were found to be less likely to receive a vision-screening than non-English speaking patients. No factors were associated with incomplete ophthalmology visits. Therefore, one can reasonably conclude that the Akron Children’s Hospital network currently has effective strategies in place to mitigate disparities in access to vision screening and follow-up.
Research Sponsor
Brian Bagatto
First Reader
E. Eugenie Hartmann
Second Reader
Christen Seher
Honors Faculty Advisor
Brian Bagatto
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Dyer, Madeline, "Social Determinants of Health: Evaluation Using Rates of Vision Screening and Follow-up Examinations" (2024). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1897.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1897
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Ophthalmology Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Quality Improvement Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons