Delays in Blood Work and Disease Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unmet Blood Work Need and Seven Key Health Conditions Across 21 Countries
ObjectivesThis study analyzes survey data across 21 countries to explore correlations between delays in blood testing and the prevalence of seven health conditions: thalassaemias, sickle cell disorders, malaria, HIV, high fasting plasma glucose, impaired kidney function, and high LDL cholesterol.Met...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2024.1607667/full |
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| author | Eunice Chung Louisa Ewald Nicholas J. Kassembaum Nicholas J. Kassembaum Taylor Noyes Emmanuela Gakidou Emmanuela Gakidou Ali H. Mokdad Ali H. Mokdad |
| author_facet | Eunice Chung Louisa Ewald Nicholas J. Kassembaum Nicholas J. Kassembaum Taylor Noyes Emmanuela Gakidou Emmanuela Gakidou Ali H. Mokdad Ali H. Mokdad |
| author_sort | Eunice Chung |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectivesThis study analyzes survey data across 21 countries to explore correlations between delays in blood testing and the prevalence of seven health conditions: thalassaemias, sickle cell disorders, malaria, HIV, high fasting plasma glucose, impaired kidney function, and high LDL cholesterol.MethodsWe analyzed Pandemic Recovery Survey data via multivariable logistic regression to compare blood test delays between individuals with and without medical conditions, while adjusting for sociodemographic factors. We also examined the disease burden using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and summary exposure values (SEV) rates.ResultsOur findings indicate profound disparities, with over 60% of respondents in Egypt, Nigeria, and India reporting they have never undergone blood tests. Individuals with existing medical conditions are significantly more likely to experience delays in blood work.ConclusionThere is a pronounced gap in blood work accessibility, particularly in countries with high disease burdens. Findings suggest an urgent need for interventions to improve routine blood test access for high-risk populations to reduce the underdiagnosis of significant medical conditions. Prioritizing timely and accessible blood testing can serve as a step towards mitigating healthcare disparities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-71700d94e34e414485d8d44b4112b258 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1661-8564 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-71700d94e34e414485d8d44b4112b2582025-01-06T04:11:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.International Journal of Public Health1661-85642025-01-016910.3389/ijph.2024.16076671607667Delays in Blood Work and Disease Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unmet Blood Work Need and Seven Key Health Conditions Across 21 CountriesEunice Chung0Louisa Ewald1Nicholas J. Kassembaum2Nicholas J. Kassembaum3Taylor Noyes4Emmanuela Gakidou5Emmanuela Gakidou6Ali H. Mokdad7Ali H. Mokdad8Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesDepartment of Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesDepartment of Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesDepartment of Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United StatesObjectivesThis study analyzes survey data across 21 countries to explore correlations between delays in blood testing and the prevalence of seven health conditions: thalassaemias, sickle cell disorders, malaria, HIV, high fasting plasma glucose, impaired kidney function, and high LDL cholesterol.MethodsWe analyzed Pandemic Recovery Survey data via multivariable logistic regression to compare blood test delays between individuals with and without medical conditions, while adjusting for sociodemographic factors. We also examined the disease burden using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and summary exposure values (SEV) rates.ResultsOur findings indicate profound disparities, with over 60% of respondents in Egypt, Nigeria, and India reporting they have never undergone blood tests. Individuals with existing medical conditions are significantly more likely to experience delays in blood work.ConclusionThere is a pronounced gap in blood work accessibility, particularly in countries with high disease burdens. Findings suggest an urgent need for interventions to improve routine blood test access for high-risk populations to reduce the underdiagnosis of significant medical conditions. Prioritizing timely and accessible blood testing can serve as a step towards mitigating healthcare disparities.https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2024.1607667/fullblood workhealth disparitiesglobal burden of diseasedelays in carehemoglobinopathies |
| spellingShingle | Eunice Chung Louisa Ewald Nicholas J. Kassembaum Nicholas J. Kassembaum Taylor Noyes Emmanuela Gakidou Emmanuela Gakidou Ali H. Mokdad Ali H. Mokdad Delays in Blood Work and Disease Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unmet Blood Work Need and Seven Key Health Conditions Across 21 Countries International Journal of Public Health blood work health disparities global burden of disease delays in care hemoglobinopathies |
| title | Delays in Blood Work and Disease Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unmet Blood Work Need and Seven Key Health Conditions Across 21 Countries |
| title_full | Delays in Blood Work and Disease Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unmet Blood Work Need and Seven Key Health Conditions Across 21 Countries |
| title_fullStr | Delays in Blood Work and Disease Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unmet Blood Work Need and Seven Key Health Conditions Across 21 Countries |
| title_full_unstemmed | Delays in Blood Work and Disease Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unmet Blood Work Need and Seven Key Health Conditions Across 21 Countries |
| title_short | Delays in Blood Work and Disease Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unmet Blood Work Need and Seven Key Health Conditions Across 21 Countries |
| title_sort | delays in blood work and disease burden a cross sectional analysis of unmet blood work need and seven key health conditions across 21 countries |
| topic | blood work health disparities global burden of disease delays in care hemoglobinopathies |
| url | https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2024.1607667/full |
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