Cluster Analysis reveals Socioeconomic Disparities among Elective Spine Surgery Patients

Pac Symp Biocomput. 2024;29:359-373.ABSTRACTThis work demonstrates the use of cluster analysis in detecting fair and unbiased novel discoveries. Given a sample population of elective spinal fusion patients, we identify two overarching subgroups driven by insurance type. The Medicare group, associated with lower socioeconomic status, exhibited an over-representation of negative risk factors. The findings provide a compelling depiction of the interwoven socioeconomic and racial disparities present within the healthcare system, highlighting their consequential effects on health inequalities. The results are intended to guide design of fair and precise machine learning models based on intentional integration of population stratification.PMID:38160292
Source: Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing - Category: Bioinformatics Authors: Source Type: research