Social determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations deficiency in older Chilean people

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations deficiency is a growing health problem that affects a significant part of the world’s population, with particularly negative consequences in children and older adults. Public health has prioritized healthy aging; thus, an investigation of the social determinants related to deficient and insufficient Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in older adults is needed to contribute to the implementation of comprehensive social programs focused on addressing those conditions adversely affecting the health of this group. This study was conducted using a sample of older adults (age ≥ 65 years, n = 1283) from the National Health Survey (NHS 2016–2017). The Average Marginal Effects of the social determinants of Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations deficiency in older adults were predicted using a probit model in which the outcome variable assumed two values (deficiency or not deficiency), taking as independent variables those reported in previous studies. The model showed an adequate goodness of fit, Count R2 = 0.65, and the independent variables explained between 11% (Cox-Snell) and 14% (Nagelkerke) of the variance of the outcome variable. The social determinants associated with a greater likelihood of Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations deficiency are the following conditions: women, people of native origin, urban dwellers, shorter sunlight exposure, and greater geographical latitude. Implications are discussed, and limitations are considered. Promotion and prevention programs should preferentially target older adults in the southernmost regions who live in urban areas, with a special focus on women. Due to the country’s characteristics (17°–57° south latitude), it is necessary to review in future research the three zones shown in this study as relevant social determinants for the older adults living in them to generate inputs in formulating public health policies. The authorities must define the cut-off points for considering the difference between the country’s ranges of Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations insufficiency and deficiency.