Socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing Clostridioides difficile mortality in the U.S.

A new study led by AdventHealth Sebring suggests that certain socioeconomic factors may influence who dies from Clostridioides difficile infection. Key findings, presented at IDWeek 2025, are summarized in an IDSA press release.

Most notable among the results was that C. diff killed more white people than African Americans/Black people or Hispanic individuals between 1999 and 2023. Additional key findings:

• Women were more likely to die from C. diff than men during the study period
• Individuals who live in urban areas were also more likely to die from C. diff
• C. diff deaths reached an all-time high from 2006-2015
• Nearly three quarters of deaths happened in inpatient settings

Presenting author Muhammad Sohaib Asghar, MBBS, MD, resident physician at AdventHealth Sebring told IDSA in a statement, “C. diff’s prevalence in healthcare settings flips the usual dynamics of privilege: Those who can afford more access to healthcare are more likely to die from infection. The United States must double down on progress made in lowering C. diff-related deaths by promoting responsible antibiotic use — particularly in healthcare settings — to address disparities.”