IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) plays a critical role in shaping health outcomes, particularly psychological well-being and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Understanding the mechanisms linking SES, mental health, and CVD is essential to addressing health disparities.

Objectives: This review aims to synthesize recent findings on the relationships between SES, psychological health, and CVD risk, emphasizing global disparities, gender-specific vulnerabilities, and the implications of these findings for public health strategies.

Methods: A narrative review of recent literature was conducted, focusing on studies exploring SES, mental health, and CVD risk factors, along with interventions targeting these disparities.

Results: Lower SES is strongly associated with higher CVD risk, driven by limited access to healthcare, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, and psychosocial stressors like depression. Global disparities reveal that SES influences health outcomes differently across income settings, with gender-specific differences exacerbating vulnerabilities. Emerging evidence highlights the potential of incorporating SES into risk prediction models and the need for equity-focused public health interventions.

Conclusions: Addressing SES disparities in health requires integrated, tailored interventions targeting both physical and psychological factors. Future research should explore the long-term effects of SES mobility, regional nuances, and biological mechanisms to advance health equity and inform policy development.