Impact of Cumulative Social Determinants of Health on Odds of Diabetes Incidence in US Veterans

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition that has been attributed to social factors; however, the cumulative effect of social determinants of health (SDOH) on T2DM incidence is not known. Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between T2DM and the cumulative burden of multiple SDOH. Design: The study is a retrospective cohort study with a baseline between 2008 and 2009 and a ten-year follow-up between 2010 and 2019. Setting: The study was conducted using data from the United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Participants: Out of 10,537,027 patients treated in the VHA between 2010 and 2019, 6,518,102 patients were selected who had no evidence of T2DM or Elixhauser comorbidities at baseline (2008–2009). Measurements: Over 10 years following baseline, the exposure consisted of seven types of SDOH occurring in structured data: social isolation, financial stress, employment issues, food insecurity, transportation insecurity, unstably housed, and psychosocial need. Incidence of T2DM in the ten-year follow-up window was the primary outcome. Results: Veterans with ≥3 SDOH doubled their adjusted odds of T2DM (2.07; CI: 2.05–2.09). There were significant racial differences in cumulative SDOH, with 8.8% of Black individuals having the highest burden of ≥3 SDOH compared with 3.8% of White individuals. Transportation insecurity, psychosocial need, and financial stress significantly increased the odds of T2DM across all racial and ethnic groups. Black individuals had the highest T2DM odds ratio for psychosocial need (OR = 1.58; CI: 1.56, 1.60). Limitations: The Veteran population is predominantly male, limiting generalization to the wider population. Conclusions: With each additional SDOH burden, the odds of T2DM increased, and ≥3 SDOH doubled the odds. The cumulative SDOH burden and associated disparities warrant investigation to reduce T2DM incidence.