SOCIETAL DIFFERENCES IN CHRONIC PAIN

A study completed by University at Buffalo medical sociologist Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk followed participants over the course of 12 years to measure long-term chronic pain in the United States. The study focused on the socioeconomic groups currently experiencing the most severe pain and the overall state of pain in the United States.

Study Findings

From 1998 to 2010, Grol-Prokopczyk studied 19,776 adults aged 51 and older, asking them whether they experienced pain and, if so, if their pain was mild, moderate, or severe. The findings showed chronic pain levels are on the rise. People in their 60s in 2010 are experiencing more pain than individuals who were in their 60s in 1998.

Chronic Pain and Societal Differences

Likewise, there is an extreme amount of difference when it comes to the people who are experiencing the most pain. According to the study, those with less wealth and lower levels of education are more likely to suffer from more severe pain and disability than those with higher education and more wealth. Chronic pain is 80% more likely to occur in the least educated people compared to the most educated. Additionally, those who didn’t finish high school are 370% more likely to experience severe pain when compared to those with graduate degrees.

While this study shows an interesting trend across different socioeconomic groups in the United States, it hasn’t indicated the cause of such an unequal distribution of chronic pain and severe pain. However, as the study seems to suggest, if people are experiencing more chronic pain now than ever before, people need a more reliable and efficient way to manage the pain than using opioid analgesics, which are addictive and dangerous.

If you’re experiencing chronic pain, don’t hesitate to call Pain Medicine Group. Our skilled Ft. Meyers pain management physicians are dedicated to helping people locate and treat the source of their suffering. Let us see what we can do for you.

Contact us at (888) 832-3597 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment with us today.