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Scientific Oral Presentations

Care Equity, Quality, and Safety

Session: Scientific Oral Presentations 3 - Care Equity, Quality, and Safety

Evaluating the Distribution of Rhinologists in Relation to Neighborhood-Level Social Vulnerability in the United States

Monday, October 13, 2025

10:00 AM - 10:06 AM EDT

Location: 107-108

Disclosure(s):

Milan P. Fehrenbach, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: There is limited literature on the distribution of rhinologists in relation to neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDoH). This study aimed to assess the geographic distribution of U.S. rhinologists in relation to neighborhood SDoH as measured by the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI).

Methods: The American Rhinologic Society directory was queried for U.S. rhinologists and their practice addresses. The distribution of rhinologists was examined at the state and census tract level. Census tracts are continuously scored (0-1) on increasing social vulnerability across Overall SVI and four sub-themes: socioeconomic status (SS), household composition and disability status (HH), racial-ethnic minority status (RE), and housing-transportation status (HT). The distance from each census tract to the nearest rhinologist was calculated and multivariable linear regression assessed associations between distance and SVI.

Results: A total of 749 rhinologists were included in this study. States with the greatest density of rhinologists per population included Wyoming, Vermont, and the District of Columbia; states with the lowest density included Alaska, Maine, North Dakota, and Rhode Island. On multivariable analysis, higher vulnerability in SS (β= 17.40 [95% CI: 14.9, 20.00]), HH (β= 9.99 [7.90, 12.10]), and HT (β= 20.00 [18.00, 22.10]) were associated with significantly increased distance to the nearest rhinologist while higher vulnerability in RE was associated with significantly decreased distance to the nearest rhinologist (β= -46.90 [-48.90, -44.80]).

Conclusions: Uneven distribution of rhinologists in the U.S. is associated with neighborhood-level SDoH as measured by SVI. Future studies should assess the impact of rhinologist proximity on health outcomes.

Presenting Author(s)

MF

Milan P. Fehrenbach, BS

Student
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Bowling Green, CA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
MF

Milan P. Fehrenbach, BS

Student
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Bowling Green, CA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

AP

Asher C. Park, Other

Medical Student
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
AP

Asher C. Park, Other

Medical Student
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Co-Author(s)

RA

Raad Allawi, Other

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
RA

Raad Allawi, Other

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
HP

Hasan Pracha, Other

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
HP

Hasan Pracha, Other

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
OA

Oluwatobiloba O. Ayo-Ajibola, BS

Medical Student
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
OA

Oluwatobiloba O. Ayo-Ajibola, BS

Medical Student
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

KH

Kevin Hur, MD

Assistant Professor
USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
KH

Kevin Hur, MD

Assistant Professor
USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.