Multimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions, is a growing global health concern that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the heightened risks faced by individuals with multiple chronic illnesses, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue. While aging and urbanization contribute to the rising prevalence of multimorbidity, socioeconomic disparities play a crucial role in its unequal distribution. Research consistently links multimorbidity to low income, limited education, and unemployment, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach that considers the broader social determinants of health.
This three-year PhD project aims to unravel the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors, environmental conditions, and health outcomes to inform targeted interventions and reduce the burden of multimorbidity. The project will include data merging, analysis, and dissemination of results. A key focus is to disentangle the role of house prices as both a proxy for broader economic conditions and a direct cause of health outcomes, particularly through their synergistic effects with the built environment.
The specific aims of the study are to identify geographical clusters or “hotspots” of multimorbidity across the UK and determine which chronic conditions are spatially correlated; investigate how environmental exposures, such as air and noise pollution, land use, green space access, and housing conditions, contribute to the development and progression of multimorbidity by utilizing biomarkers to reveal underlying biological pathways; and assess the relationship between house prices, socioeconomic factors, and multimorbidity, exploring whether being “priced out” of healthier environments contributes to health inequalities.
By understanding these links, our research aims to inform public policy to significantly reduce the prevalence of multimorbidity. Findings could lead to recommendations for policies that prioritize health, such as developing affordable housing in areas with good air quality and access to green spaces. This could have far-reaching effects on public health, reducing medical costs and improving the quality of life, particularly for lower-income communities. Furthermore, understanding how these factors interact could lead to more personalized approaches to preventing and managing multiple chronic conditions, improving patient care and health outcomes. This research represents a significant shift from traditional health models that often focus on individual risk factors, such as smoking or diet, to a broader perspective that considers the complex interplay of biological, behavioural, socioeconomic, and environmental risks.