Social determinants of health as drivers of fungal disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jeffrey D. Jenks, Duke University; Juergen Prattes, Medical University of Graz; Sebastian Wurster, University of Texas, Houston; Rosanne Sprute, University of Cologne; Danila Seidel, University of Cologne; Matteo Oliverio, University of Cologne; Matthias Egger, Medical University of Graz; Carlos del Rio, Emory University; Hatim Sati, World Health Organization; Oliver A. Cornely, University of Cologne; George R. Thompson 3rd, University of California, Davis; Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis, University of Texas, Houston; Martin Hoenigl, Medical University of Graz
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-11-18
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102325
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: EClinicalMedicine
• Volume: 66
• Start Page: 102325
• Grant/Funding Information: JDJ received research funding from Astellas, F2G, and Pfizer—all outside of the submitted work. JP has received speakers’ fees from Gilead Sciences, Pfizer, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum, Associated of Cape Cod, served at advisor boards for Gilead Sciences and Pfizer and holds stocks of Novo Nordisk and AbbVie Inc—all outside of the submitted work. RS received speaker fees and travel support from Pfizer—all outside of the submitted work. DS received speaker fees from Pfizer—all outside of the submitted work. OAC reports grants or contracts from BMBF, Cidara, EU-DG RTD (101 037 867), F2G, Gilead, MedPace, MSD, Mundipharma, Octapharma, Pfizer, Scynexis; Consulting fees from Abbvie, AiCuris, Biocon, Cidara, Gilead, IQVIA, Janssen, Matinas, MedPace, Menarini, Moderna, Molecular Partners, MSG-ERC, Noxxon, Octapharma, Pfizer, PSI, Scynexis, Seres; Honoraria for lectures from Abbott, Abbvie, Al-Jazeera Pharmaceuticals/Hikma, Gilead, Grupo Biotoscana/United Medical/Knight, ISHAM Working Group, MedScape, MedUpdate, Merck/MSD,Noscendo, Pfizer, Shionogi, streamedup!; Payment for expert testimony from Cidara; Participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board from Boston Strategic Partners, Cidara, IQVIA, Janssen, MedPace, PSI, Pulmocide, Shionogi, The Prime Meridian Group; A patent at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DE 10 2021 113 007.7); Stocks from CoRe Consulting, EasyRadiology; Other interests from Wiley. GRT received research and consulting fees from Astellas, Cidara, F2G, Mayne, Melinta, Mundipharma, and served on the DRC for Pfizer—all outside of the submitted work. DPK received honoraria and research support from Gilead Sciences, Merck, United Medical, and Astellas Pharma. He received consultant fees from Astellas Pharma, Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Ciadara Therapeutics, Mayne Pharma, and is a member of the Data Review Committee of Cidara Therapeutics, AbbVie, Scynexis, and the Mycoses Study Group–all outside of the submitted work. MH received research funding from Gilead, Astellas, Euroimmune, MSD, IMMY, Mundipharma, Scynexis, and Pfizer—all outside of the submitted work.
• Keywords: Working conditions; Structural conflict; Social determinants of health; Fungal infections; Health care access
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Disparities in social determinants of health (SDOH) play a significant role in causing health inequities globally. The physical environment, including housing and workplace environment, can increase the prevalence and spread of fungal infections. A number of professions are associated with increased fungal infection risk and are associated with low pay, which may be linked to crowded and sub-optimal living conditions, exposure to fungal organisms, lack of access to quality health care, and risk for fungal infection. Those involved and displaced from areas of armed conflict have an increased risk of invasive fungal infections. Lastly, a number of fungal plant pathogens already threaten food security, which will become more problematic with global climate change. Taken together, disparities in SDOH are associated with increased risk for contracting fungal infections. More emphasis needs to be placed on systematic approaches to better understand the impact and reducing the health inequities associated with these disparities.