Variation of Bariatric Surgery Utilization by Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status in Maryland

Importance: Bariatric surgery is a proven treatment for severe obesity, yet disparities in its utilization persist, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Objective: To evaluate the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) and bariatric surgery utilization in Maryland and assess whether this relationship varies by race and ethnicity. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional, population-based study using the Maryland State Inpatient Database (2018–2020), linked with the Distressed Communities Index (DCI). The study included adults aged ≥18 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m² who were eligible for bariatric surgery. Race/ethnicity was self-reported and categorized as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, or Other. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was receipt of bariatric surgery. The primary exposure was nSES, measured using DCI quintiles (prosperous, comfortable, mid-tier, at-risk, and distressed). Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the adjusted odds of undergoing surgery, accounting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, comorbidities, obesity class, and urbanicity. Interaction terms tested effect modification by race. Results: Of 169,026 eligible individuals, 11,963 (7.1%) received bariatric surgery. Most recipients were female (82.6%), with nearly equal representation of Black (46.9%) and White (46.1%) patients. A socioeconomic gradient in utilization was evident: individuals from distressed neighborhoods had 30% lower odds of receiving surgery (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.64–0.76) compared to those in prosperous areas. Odds were similarly reduced for mid-tier (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.70–0.79), at-risk (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83–0.96), and comfortable (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84–0.95) neighborhoods. Race moderated this association: across all DCI quintiles, Black individuals were more likely than White individuals to undergo surgery, with marginal effects increasing from 0.90% in prosperous to 2.10% in distressed areas. Conclusions and Relevance: Bariatric surgery remains underutilized among eligible patients, especially those in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. However, utilization patterns differ by race, with higher odds among Black individuals across all neighborhood strata. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve equity in obesity treatment access.