Metrics Unveiled: Decoding Social Determinants in Trauma Care

This study investigates how social determinants of health (SDOH) impact outcomes after traumatic injury, using area-level measures such as the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). We conducted a retrospective analysis of over 12,000 patients treated at a Level I trauma center between 2014 and 2021, linking geocoded home addresses to Census block-level ADI and SVI scores. While higher deprivation was significantly associated with longer hospital and ICU stays and increased likelihood of surgical intervention, there was no association with injury severity or mortality. These findings suggest that SDOH influence trauma care utilization but not immediate clinical outcomes, highlighting the importance of considering social context in post-discharge care and prevention strategies.