Unveiling the hidden costs of poor health

Understanding the critical role of medication adherence in managing chronic diseases, this study systematically reviews and analyzes how social determinants of health (SDH) affect this adherence. Medication adherence, essential for effective chronic disease management, remains suboptimal, with about half of patients not following prescribed regimens. The systematic review and meta-analysis focused on various SDH factors excluding health insurance coverage.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, identifying 3137 abstracts. After rigorous screening, 29 studies were included. The meta-analysis revealed significant relationships between certain SDH factors and medication adherence, notably food insecurity and housing instability. For example, food insecurity was associated with lower medication adherence. Similarly, housing instability also showed a negative impact. Despite heterogeneous measurements and study designs, the analysis consistently found that adverse SDH negatively impacted medication adherence. These findings emphasize the need for healthcare providers and policymakers to consider these social factors when designing interventions aimed at improving medication adherence.
The results underscore that addressing basic needs like food and stable housing is crucial for better health outcomes.