Examining the relationship between social determinants of health with daily tobacco use, binge-drinking, and daily cannabis use

TL;DR

This study explores how social factors like stress and access to healthcare affect risky substance use behaviors such as binge drinking, daily tobacco use, and cannabis consumption.

Contribution

The study identifies specific social determinants of health that are strongly associated with increased odds of substance use.

Findings

Frequent stress significantly increases the odds of binge drinking, tobacco use, and cannabis consumption.

Having a recent medical checkup is linked to lower odds of these substance use behaviors.

Higher cumulative social determinants of health needs are strongly associated with increased cannabis use.

Abstract

There is growing recognition that social determinants of health (SDOH) shape health behaviors in powerful ways. Given that risky substance use remains a persistent public health problem, the relationship between SDOH and substance use merits investigation. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between various social determinants of health (SDOH) with binge drinking, daily tobacco use, and daily cannabis consumption.

Using the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (2022–2023) we conducted two sets of logistic regression models. The first examined relationships between our three outcomes and 13 separate SDOH measures. The second assessed a categorical, composite SDOH measure and our outcomes.

Frequent stress was associated with significantly higher odds of each outcome (binge drinking: AOR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.13–1.42; tobacco: AOR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.32; cannabis: AOR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.22–1.68). Having a recent medical checkup was associated with lower odds (binge drinking: AOR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75–0.95; tobacco: AOR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67–0.88; cannabis: AOR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71–0.96). Higher cumulative SDOH-needs were associated with significantly higher odds. For cannabis: 1–3 needs: AOR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.27–1.87; 4–6 needs: AOR 3.35, 95% CI: 2.64–4.25; 7–13 needs: AOR 4.61, 95% CI: 3.32–6.41. Similar patterns were observed for other outcomes.

Findings should inform interventions to reduce substance use by directly addressing SDOH associated with increased risk and by supporting the co-location of social and health services to better meet individuals’ complex needs.

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