Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine

Abstract:

 

There is a paucity of studies that have explored the social determinants of health (SDH) in the Philippines and how it may affect the health outcomes of patients. ABC’s for Global Health (ABCGH) has embarked on determining the various SDH that may affect the health outcomes-blood pressure and blood sugar control, as well as their complications-of patients in rural and underserved communities of the Philippines by incorporating research to our Mobile Clinic approach. The study is conducted within the selected 16 communities served by the mobile clinic by providing questionnaires while the patients wait in queue. The results from this study will be evaluated vis a vis to their health outcomes. Data collection will be done over 6 months and health outcomes of patients will be monitored through our electronic medical record system. Preliminary analysis of data showed that hypertension has been the top reason for medical consult, followed by dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. For the indigenous communities, they are more predisposed to respiratory infections, diarrhea and intestinal parasitism. High level of education, access to basic government services, and good living conditions have a positive correlation with good mental health. Patients above the poverty line have better control of their diseases compared to those living below. This study may provide areas for new research in underserved populations of the Philippines to investigate causative factors that may affect health outcomes of patients and the community.    

Keywords: social determinants of health, noncommunicable disease, mobile clinic