The Sociobiologic Integrative Model (SBIM): Enhancing the Integration of Sociobehavioral, Environmental, and Biomolecular Knowledge in Urban Health and Disparities Research

Abstract

Disentangling the myriad determinants of disease, within the context of urban health or health disparities, requires a transdisciplinary approach. Transdisciplinary approaches draw on concepts from multiple scientific disciplines to develop a novel, integrated perspective from which to conduct scientific investigation. Most historic and contemporary conceptual models of health were derived either from the sociobehavioral sciences or the biomolecular sciences. Those models deriving from the sociobehavioral sciences generally lack detail on involved biological mechanisms whereas those derived from the biomolecular sciences largely do not consider socioenvironmental determinants. As such, advances in transdisciplinary characterizations of health in complex systems like the urban environment or health disparities may be impeded. This paper suggests a sociobiologic organizing model that encourages a multilevel, integrative perspective in the study of urban health and health disparities.

Racial Disparities in Extremity Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Outcomes

“…26,[29][30][31] Although income was accounted for in this study, other sociodemographic inequalities and geographical variation among African Americans and whites may also play a role in confounding the survival discrepancies seen. 32,33 This study showed that African Americans did not receive equivalent interventions as frequently as their white counterparts (ie, decreased rates of radiotherapy and surgical resection). Various analyses have shown that African Americans tend to receive lower quality health care even after accounting for barriers to access, such as the lack of health insurance.…”

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Cancer Risk After Kidney Transplantation

“…Furthermore, our Hispanic category represents a heterogeneous population in terms of genetic background, culture, and duration of U.S. residence. In general, race/ethnicity serves as a marker for other genetic, exposure, and lifestyle factors [41]. Although we conjectured that racial/ethnic differences in screening rates for cancers before and after transplantation could have contributed to variation in cancer risk, we do not have data on cancer screening practices among transplant candidates or recipients.…”

The Synergistic Effects of Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption on the Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

“…Th is discrepancy in incidence may explain the absence of high-quality studies on ESCC in the Western world. Although tobacco use (and less so alcohol use) is more commonplace in these more endemic regions, there are several other factors, including genetic variations, socioeconomic disparities, dietary factors, and possibly infectious causes, that likely also contribute to the diff erences in incidence across countries ( 31 ).…”