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Background Hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor of serious maternal morbidity and mortality. Social determinants of health (SDoH) influence hypertension outcomes and may contribute to racial and ethnic differences in hypertension control. Our objective was to assess SDoH and blood pressure (BP) control by race and ethnicity in US women of childbearing age with hypertension. Methods and Results We studied women (aged 20–50 years) with hypertension (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive medication) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2001 to 2018. SDoH and BP control (systolic BP P Conclusions We identified racial inequities in uncontrolled BP and food insecurity among women of childbearing age with hypertension. Further exploration beyond the SDoH measured is needed to understand the inequity in hypertension control in Black women.

Introduction: Heart healthy diets are important in the prevention and treatment of hypertension (HTN). In pregnant women, the lifestyle barriers to healthy eating are not well-described in literature. Hypothesis: There are personal, environmental, and economic barriers impacting adherence to a healthy diet in pregnant women with HTN, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), or risk factors for HDP. Methods: Pregnant women, aged 20-50 (N=28), diagnosed with HTN, HDP, or risk factors for HDP were recruited from a large academic medical center. Participants completed an electronic survey assessing personal, environmental, and economic barriers to healthy eating. A 5-point Likert scale was used, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Results: The average age of participants was 31.8 (SD=4.5) from urban (34.6%), suburban (34.6%), and rural (30.8%) communities. Finances and time were major barriers to healthy eating, reported by 39.3% and 28.6% of participants, respectively, with 17.8% reporting that they could not afford to eat healthy consistently for all meals (Figure 1). Additionally, 10.7% and 7.1% were unaware of factors promoting healthy eating such as awareness of outside healthy eating resources and confidence in their ability to eat healthy given a new pregnancy. Meanwhile, 28.6% and 17.9% reported ambivalence towards these factors. Conclusion: Time management and financial costs emerged as the greatest challenges to healthy eating in pregnant women with or at risk for HDP. These barriers, in addition to certain factors promoting healthy eating, may represent areas of intervention that can help mitigate the obstacles to healthy eating in this vulnerable group.

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is the most important modifiable risk factor of serious maternal mortality and morbidity. Social determinants, including economic stability and access to healthcare, influence HTN outcomes and are critical to understanding and addressing racial and ethnic differences in HTN control. Objective: To assess social determinants and co-morbidities in US women of child-bearing age with HTN by race/ethnicity Methods: We studied women (age 20-50) with HTN in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2001-2018. Social determinants and co-morbid conditions were examined in groups categorized by race/ethnicity - Non-Hispanic White (White), Non-Hispanic Black (Black), and Hispanic. Demographics, anthropometric measures, and co-morbid conditions were compared with White women as reference. Results: In all women with HTN, the mean (SE) age was 36.0 (0.3) years and 63% were on BP medication. Compared to white women, Black and Hispanic women had lower food security, poverty income ratio, smoking use, and private insurance (all pTable ). Black women had higher BP medication use, BMI, and BP compared to White women (all p Conclusions: Despite effective diagnostics and therapy, health inequity is common in women of child-bearing age with HTN, with differences by race/ethnicity in social determinants and co-morbid conditions. Each racial/ethnic group with HTN brings social determinants and comorbid conditions important for providers to recognize.

Introduction Despite three million adults in the United States (US) being admitted annually for emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, we lack an understanding of the barriers to round-the-clock EGS care. Our objective was to measure gaps in round-the-clock EGS care. Methods From August 2015 to December 2015, we surveyed all US-based, adult acute care general hospitals that have an emergency room and ≥1 operating room and provide EGS care, utilizing paper and electronic methods. Surgeons or chief medical officers were queried regarding EGS practices. Results Of 2,811 hospitals, 1,634 (58.1%) responded; 279 (17.1%) were unable to always provide round-the-clock EGS care. Rural location, smaller bed size, and non-teaching status were associated with lack of round-the-clock care. Inconsistent surgeon coverage was the primary reason for lacking round-the-clock EGS care (n=162; 58.1%). However, lack of a tiered system for booking emergency cases, no anesthesia availability overnight, and no stipend for EGS call were also associated with the inability to provide round-the-clock EGS care. Discussion We found significant gaps in access to EGS care, often attributable to workforce deficiencies.

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common indication for emergency general surgery (EGS) in the United States. We examined the role of acute care surgery (ACS) on interventions and outcomes for acute appendicitis at a national sample of university-affiliated hospitals. METHODS We surveyed senior surgeons responsible for EGS coverage at University HealthSystems Consortium hospitals, representing more than 90% of university-affiliated hospitals in the United States. The survey elicited data on resources allocated for EGS during 2013. Responses were linked to University HealthSystems Consortium outcomes data by unique hospital identifiers. Patients treated at hospitals reporting hybrid models for EGS coverage were excluded. Differences in interventions and outcomes between patients with acute appendicitis treated at ACS hospitals versus hospitals with a general surgeon on-call model (GSOC) were analyzed using univariate comparisons and multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for patient demographics, clinical acuity, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS We found 122 hospitals meeting criteria for analysis where 2,565 patients were treated for acute appendicitis. Forty-eight percent of hospitals had an ACS model (n = 1,414), and 52% had a GSOC model (n = 1,151). Hospitals with ACS models were more likely to treat minority patients than those with GSOC models. Patients treated at ACS hospitals were more likely to undergo laparoscopic appendectomy. In multivariable modeling of patients who had surgery (n = 2,258), patients treated at ACS hospitals had 1.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.80) greater odds of undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. CONCLUSION In an era when laparoscopic appendectomy is increasingly accepted for treating uncomplicated acute appendicitis, particularly in low-risk patients, it is concerning that patients treated at GSOC model hospitals are more likely to undergo traditional open surgery at the time of presentation. Furthermore, hospitals with ACS are functioning as safety-net hospitals for vulnerable patients with acute appendicitis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.