The main aim of this dissertation is to develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure the multidimensional concept of social exclusion (SE) in public health surveys, more specifically as... Show moreThe main aim of this dissertation is to develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure the multidimensional concept of social exclusion (SE) in public health surveys, more specifically as embedded in the Public Health Monitor (PHM) conducted by the GGDs in the Netherlands. SE forms part of the WHO Social Determinants of Health framework, but the concept has been ill defined in health research, a generally accepted measure was lacking and the evidence base was not well developed. A systematic review on the relation between SE and health confirmed the hypotheses derived from theory and practice that SE is associated with poor mental and general health. A 15-item index, the Social Exclusion Index for Health Surveys (SEI-HS), was constructed with 2008 and 2012 PHM data. The SEI-HS was validated in the general population and in major non-Western migrant groups in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. A possible application of the SEI-HS in public health was explored using 2016 PHM data. Relative risks and population attributable fractions showed a high-risk/high-need population segment in the four cites in which social problems, low agency and ill health coincide. These findings can be used to guide public health policy and resource allocation. Show less
Bergen, A.P.L. van; Loon, A. van; Hoff, S.J.M.; Wolf, J.R.L.M.; Hemert, A.M. van 2021
Background: Population segmentation and risk stratification are important strategies for allocating resources in public health, health care and social care. Social exclusion, which is defined as... Show moreBackground: Population segmentation and risk stratification are important strategies for allocating resources in public health, health care and social care. Social exclusion, which is defined as the cumulation of disadvantages in social, economic, cultural and political domains, is associated with an increased risk of health problems, low agency, and as a consequence, a higher need for health and social care. The aim of this study is to test social exclusion against traditional social stratifiers to identify high-risk/high-need population segments.Methods: We used data from 33,285 adults from the 2016 Public Health Monitor of four major cities in the Netherlands. To identify at-risk populations for cardiovascular risk, cancer, low self-rated health, anxiety and depression symptoms, and low personal control, we compared relative risks (RR) and population attributable fractions (PAF) for social exclusion, which was measured with the Social Exclusion Index for Health Surveys (SEI-HS), and four traditional social stratifiers, namely, education, income, labour market position and migration background.Results: The analyses showed significant associations of social exclusion with all the health indicators and personal control. Particular strong RRs were found for anxiety and depression symptoms (7.95) and low personal control (6.36), with corresponding PAFs of 42 and 35%, respectively. Social exclusion was significantly better at identifying population segments with high anxiety and depression symptoms and low personal control than were the four traditional stratifiers, while the two approaches were similar at identifying other health problems. The combination of social exclusion with a low labour market position (19.5% of the adult population) captured 67% of the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and 60% of the prevalence of low personal control, as well as substantial proportions of the other health indicators.Conclusions: This study shows that the SEI-HS is a powerful tool for identifying high-risk/high-need population segments in which not only ill health is concentrated, as is the case with traditional social stratifiers, but also a high prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and low personal control are present, in addition to an accumulation of social problems. These findings have implications for health care practice, public health and social interventions in large cities. Show less
