Spatial Associations of Multiple Chronic Conditions Among Older Adults

Multimorbidity, the presence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual, presents a major challenge for meeting the health care needs of older adults. This study advances understanding of multiple chronic conditions by using local colocation quotients to reveal spatial associations for five...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied gerontology 2018-11, Vol.37 (11), p.1411-1435
Main Authors: Cromley, Ellen K., Wilson-Genderson, Maureen, Heid, Allison R., Pruchno, Rachel A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arthritis
Blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular diseases
Chronic illnesses
Comorbidity
Diabetes
Health services
Hypertension
Older people
Triads
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Summary:Multimorbidity, the presence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual, presents a major challenge for meeting the health care needs of older adults. This study advances understanding of multiple chronic conditions by using local colocation quotients to reveal spatial associations for five chronic conditions (arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and pulmonary disease) in a statewide panel of older adults in New Jersey. Among adults with three or more conditions, large concentrations of Arthritis-Heart Disease-Pulmonary Disease, Arthritis-Hypertension-Pulmonary Disease, and Diabetes-Heart Disease-Hypertension were observed, each triad located in different regions of the state. Individuals with other triads of conditions, in contrast, were distributed among all older adults in the sample as expected with no areas of local concentration. The study provides gerontologists with a new and effective method for uncovering geographical patterns in combinations of chronic conditions among the populations they serve, thereby enabling more effective interventions.
ISSN:0733-4648
1552-4523
DOI:10.1177/0733464816672044