Impact of Social Vulnerability on Hypertension-Related Outcomes among Medicare Beneficiaries in Kansas: A Three-Year Retrospective Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among older adults. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), reflecting socioeconomic disparities, may influence hypertension-related outcomes. This study examined the association between county-level SVI and hypertension-related hospitalizations and mortality among older adults in Kansas. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed CDC data from 2019–2021 on beneficiaries aged 65+. County-level SVI, age-adjusted hypertension-related hospitalization, and mortality rates were obtained directly from the CDC. Hospitalizations (principal diagnosis on admission) and deaths (any mention among 20 listed causes) were identified using ICD-10 codes I10–I15. Pearson correlation assessed associations between SVI and outcomes by county, SVI quartiles, sex, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: The mean hospitalization rate was 8.49 (7.68–9.32) per 1,000 beneficiaries, rising from 7.12 (SVI Q1) to 10.75 (SVI Q4). Mean mortality was 862.69 (799.52–925.86) per 100,000 beneficiaries, increasing from 842.75 (SVI Q1) to 992.00 (SVI Q4). Hospitalization rates were highest among Black residents (20.50–25.44/1,000) and men (9.39–12.76/1,000). Seward County had the highest SVI; Jefferson County had the lowest. SVI showed a moderate correlation with hospitalization rates (r = 0.319, p = 0.0009); a 0.1 increase in SVI was linked to 0.461 additional hospitalizations per 1,000 beneficiaries. Mortality correlation was weaker and nonsignificant (r = 0.118, p = 0.232). Socioeconomic status (r = 0.34, p <0.001) and housing/transportation (r = 0.29, p = 0.0027) were significantly associated with hospitalization rates. CONCLUSIONS: Higher social vulnerability is associated with increased hypertension-related hospitalizations. Public health efforts should prioritize high-SVI counties to reduce disparities.