Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 30 Dec 2024

The Association between the Social Vulnerability Index and Access to California High School Athletic Trainers

MD,MPH,
MD,
PhD,
MD, MPH,
MD, and
DO
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0522-24
Save
Download PDF

Abstract:

Context:

Social determinants of health are known to affect overall access to youth sports, however, it is not fully understood how multiple social determinants of health may impact access to school-based athletic training services.

Objective:

To determine the relationship between Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores on access to high school-based athletic trainers in California

Design:

Retrospective, cross-sectional study

Setting:

Online survey

Patients or Other Participants:

California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) high school respondents of the 2022-23 Participation Census

Main Outcome Measures:

Association between Social Vulnerability Index scores and access to school-based athletic trainer services

Methods:

This study uses data from CIF high school respondents of the 2022-23 Participation Census. School addresses were used to extract SVI scores from the U.S. Census Bureau. Separate multivariable logistic regressions and generalized linear mixed effects models assessed the relationships between access to school-based athletic training services and SVI scores at the census and county levels.

Results:

There were 1,598 respondent schools (65% public, 24% private, and 11% charter). 49% of schools reported having an athletic trainer, of which 41% were certified. Adjusted analyses revealed that increased vulnerability in household characteristics was associated with lower odds of access to athletic trainers and certified athletic trainers at both county (OR: 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.99); p = .04) and census tract levels (OR: 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.97); p = .002). Increased vulnerability in socioeconomic status was associated with lower odds of having an certified athletic trainer at the census tract level (OR: 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.98); p = .006), but not the county level (p = .16).

Conclusions:

Increased vulnerability in household characteristics is associated with decreased odds of access to high school-based athletic training services.

Contributor Notes

Frances Tao, MD, MPH, Clinical Instructor of Medicine frances.tao@alumni.ucsf.edu

Charis Turner, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Intern cbturner@uw.edu

Stephanie Kliethermes, PhD, Associate Research Professor kliethermes@ortho.wisc.edu

Anthony Luke, MD, MPH, Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics Benioff Distinguished Professor in Sports Medicine Director, UCSF Human Performance Center anthony.luke@ucsf.edu

William Berrigan, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery bill.berrigan@ucsf.edu

Nicolas Hatamiya, DO, Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery nicolas.hatamiya@ucsf.edu

  • Download PDF