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Review
Measuring Spatial Social Polarization in Public Health Research: A Scoping Review of Methods and Applications
Journal of urban health
10 Mar 2025
PMID: 40063227
Featured in Collection : Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
Abstract
Spatial social polarization (SSP) refers to the uneven spatial distribution and subsequent concentration of polarized social and/or economic groups in a specified geographic area. However, there is heterogeneity in how SSP is measured and operationalized in research. To this end, we conducted a scoping review to characterize the use of SSP measures in public health research, providing a foundation for those seeking to navigate this complex literature, select measurement options, and identify opportunities for methodological development. Using a structured search strategy, we searched PubMed for any primary research, published since 2007, that examined the relationship between SSP and health outcomes. Across 117 included studies, we found a body of evidence that was primarily set in the United States (n = 104), published between 2020 and 2022 (n = 52), and focused on non-communicable diseases (n = 40). We found that defining SSP in the context of privilege, deprivation, and segregation returns a variety of measures. Among measures, we categorized 18 of them as SSP measures, with the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (n = 43) being the most common, and 5 of them as composite indices based on numerous underlying variables spanning several domains like education and race/ethnicity. While most employed a single SSP measure (n = 64), some included up to 5 measures to examine the robustness of findings or to identify how a multidimensional approach to SSP affected associations. Our findings fill a critical literature gap by summarizing options for operationalizing SSP measures and documenting their respective methodologies. Future research should consider using multiple SSP measures to capture the multidimensionality of SSP, widen the scope of health outcomes, and clearly explain the choice of measure(s) and methods used to derive them. Our findings can inform future research questions and help guide researchers in the selection and utilization of the various SSP measures.
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Details
- Title
- Measuring Spatial Social Polarization in Public Health Research: A Scoping Review of Methods and Applications
- Creators
- Edwin M McCulley (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, Urban Health CollaborativeLisa Frueh - Drexel University, Environmental and Occupational HealthDeiriai Myers - Drexel UniversitySamuel Jaros - Stanford UniversityHoda S Abdel MagidFelicia J Bayer - Drexel University, Urban Health CollaborativeGina S. Lovasi - Drexel University, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Publication Details
- Journal of urban health
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 27
- Grant note
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG049970, Gina S Lovasi, R01AG049970-S1, Gina S Lovasi, R56AG049970, Gina S Lovasi, Drexel University, Inclusion Diversity Equity Anti-racism (IDEA) Graduate Fellowship Award, Deiriai Myers, Inclusion Diversity Equity, Anti-racism (IDEA) Graduate Fellowship Award, Lisa Frueh, National Institute on Drug Abuse, F31DA057107, Samuel Jaros, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, K99HL161479, Hoda S Abdel Magid, R00HL161479, Hoda S Abdel Magid We would like to acknowledge the contributions that made this research possible. EMM, DM, and GL conceptualized the study. EMM and DM executed the search and screening of studies. EMM, DM, LF, SJ, and HSAM reviewed all eligible studies. EMM drafted the first version of the manuscript. All authors contributed to the synthesis of results and the editing of the final version of the manuscript. This work was supported by the National Institute of Aging, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and a generous gift from Dana and David Dornsife to the Drexel University School of Public Health. The authors declare no competing interests.
- Resource Type
- Review
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Environmental and Occupational Health
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001440813600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-86000739149
- Other Identifier
- 991022032972004721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health