Western University study finds children in marginalized communities more likely to experience cardiac arrests

The study established the odds of pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (POHCA) were higher for children living in areas with the highest levels of material deprivation, which incorporates average income, education, the proportion of lone parent families and housing quality. The likelihood of experiencing POHCA was also greater for those living in urban centres in Northern Ont. (relative to those in urban centres in Southern Ontario) with a population greater than 10,000, rural areas in Southern Ont. and in areas with highest levels of unpaid professions, unemployment or non-working age individuals, high levels of instability and lower levels of ethnic diversity. To reduce rates of POHCA in marginalized communities, researchers suggest:

• Increasing public health education and awareness;
• Implement measures relating to SDOH such as improving access to healthcare, health literacy and preventative healthcare; and
• Improving EMS, providing CPR education and improving access to AEDs.