Researchers at Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Community Health conducted a study that showed that groups with lower educational attainment were less commonly represented among cases of salmonelloisis than their counterparts with higher education levels.
The group used data on income, education and race from the 2000 U.S. Census and laboratory-confirmed cases of salmonellosis (1997-2006)from the Michigan Department of Community Health.
The authors write:
Our results suggest that education may play a significant role in health-seeking behavior and the predisposition for Salmonella infections at the population level. The results are different from reported individual level epidemiologic studies that have found a higher level of foodborne infections among low education and low income groups. This apparent discrepancy may be explained because individuals of higher income block groups might eat Salmonella-contaminated foods more frequently and be more likely to own Salmonella-reservoir pets, which increases the likelihood of contracting Salmonella infections compared to their counterparts with lower levels of education. This paper provides further support to the idea that food safety communication materials should be better designed for specific target audiences. A one-size-fits-all system, or catch phrases designed for a broad group of food handlers may not be the best approach. Food handlers in homes, in restaurants, at church dinners (and the different socio-economic levels within these groupings) likely do not share the same risk perceptions, and communication materials should reflect this.
You can find the entire paper here.
New paper explores the role of neighborhood level socioeconomic characteristics in Salmonella infections
Reply