Poverty, transportation challenges, and loneliness have been identified as key factors responsible for poor health among Lagos residents, a new study has revealed.
The research, led by health technology expert Omobolanle Agboola, a research scholar at the University of Minnesota who studied whole-person health by examining economic and environmental determinants, showed that 88.1 per cent of 160 respondents interviewed in Lagos confirmed that they had insufficient income, while 75.6 per cent said they urgently needed money.
Through the research, Agboola discovered that income insecurity was the most significant problem facing individuals in communities across the state.
The study employed the health informatics tool MyStrengths+MyHealth to measure all aspects of health, including biological and behavioural, and social and environmental determinants.
The report indicated that while many participants reported strengths like good hearing and no substance use, most had challenges with income, physical activity, social connectedness, and home and workplace safety.
“Poverty remains the cause of poor physical and mental health, poor housing, poor nutrition, limited access to healthcare, and poor social well-being,” the researchers stated, cautioning that financial insecurity not only increases health vulnerability in the short term but also fuels long-term diseases and premature mortality.
The poll also indicated that transport challenges have continued to be a significant hindrance in seeking services, with 48.1 per cent of the respondents pointing to mobility issues. Traffic and air pollution were also noted as major safety concerns, affecting 37.5 per cent and 43.8 per cent of those surveyed, respectively.
The study found that both urban and rural residents now have equal levels of hardship. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the countryside suffered from numerous disadvantages, but this has now been turned around. Over half of the respondents (54.4 per cent) indicated they could only manage necessities, and nearly half (48.8 per cent) indicated they struggled to purchase basic items.
Decreased social time and sedentary lifestyles were also identified as common issues, which affected overall quality of life.
Agboola warned that it was important to address those social determinants of health to reduce poor health outcomes.
The scholar called for collective action by the government, institutions, and communities to build financial security, expand access to transportation and social services, and combat inequality.
“Poverty is a complex issue that requires sustained action framed within the contexts of social justice and health equity,” the report stated.
To improve population health in Lagos, Agboola recommended that “government agencies should adopt integrated interventions targeting the social determinants of health. Priority actions should include expanding social protection programmes to mitigate income insecurity, implementing large-scale job creation and skills development initiatives, and strengthening affordable, reliable public transportation.
“Addressing these economic and mobility challenges simultaneously will enhance access to care, reduce inequities, and promote long-term health resilience for Lagos residents.”
