Impact of Race and Industry on Stroke Incidence in Northwest Indiana – A Report to Advocate for Targeted Community-Based Interventions

Abstract

Impact of Race and Industry on Stroke Incidence on Patients in Northwest Indiana – A Report to Advocate for Targeted Community-Based Interventions Miranda M. Cash¹*, Sahar A. Abdullah¹*, Amy Han, PhD2 Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest1, Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry2 Background & Hypothesis: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the US and studies have shown racial/ethnic disparities in stroke, including in Hispanics/Latinos: the fastest growing segment of the US population. St. Catherine Hospital is located in East Chicago, Indiana and the majority population is Hispanic/Latino (54.8%) and is disproportionately at risk of stroke with a death rate of 79 per 100,000 people. With such disparities in stroke mortality across Northwest Indiana, especially among minority patients, we aim to report which zip codes show particular associations in stroke incidence and report possible social determinants of health (SDoH) between White, Black/African American, and Hispanic/Latino patients that receive treatment at St. Catherine Hospital. Project Methods: Powers Health System provided data from St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana from January 2022 - March 2024 collecting socio-demographic data from 304 patients residing in the greater Northwest Indiana area. We calculated odds ratios to investigate associations in stroke outcome, race, and zip codes. Results: In Whiting, IN, stroke is less likely to occur in Hispanics/Latinos compared to Whites. In South Chicago, stroke is more likely to occur in Hispanics/Latinos compared to Blacks/African Americans. Based on U.S Census Bureau metrics, residents of South Chicago face more negative SDoH than residents of Whiting. Potential Impact: Northwest Indiana has the largest steel making facility in North America; this study aims to provide St. Catherine Hospital with a better understanding of which patients may be at particular risk of stroke based on SDoH (type of employment, pollution levels, and population density) that contribute to increased stroke incidence. Targeted community outreach efforts, such as policy change, patient education/training, and a stroke support group at St. Catherine Hospital, are future steps to increase positive SDoH.