Impact of County Health Ranking on Short-Term Bariatric Surgery Outcomes

Study examines the influence of social determinants of health, race/ethnicity, and surgical risk factors on short-term metabolic surgery outcomes. Patients from counties with lower County Health Rankings (CHRs) were at higher risk but CHR was not independently linked to 30-day outcomes. Racial disparities in outcomes persisted despite adjustments. Middle and worst CHR tercile patients were more likely to be older, non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic, and have preexisting conditions. Surgical approaches varied across CHR terciles with no significant difference in short-term outcomes.