Abstract P084: The Association Of Socioeconomic Status With Ideal Cardiovascular Health In African American Males

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosevine A Azap ◽  
Timiya Nolan ◽  
Darrell Gray ◽  
Kiwan Lawson ◽  
John Gregory ◽  
...  

Introduction: African American (AA) men are burdened by high cardiovascular risk and have the highest age-adjusted all-cause mortality rate in the United States of America (US). Socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with improved cardiovascular risk factors in majority populations, but there is a paucity of data in AA men. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that higher levels of socioeconomic status would be associated with higher attainment of ideal cardiovascular health in AA men. Methods: We examined the association of socioeconomic status measures including education, income, occupation, and insurance status with an ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) score which included blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and smoking in African American Male Wellness Walks (AAMWW). Six metrics of ICH were categorized into a three-tiered ICH score 0-2, 3-4, 5-6. Ordinal logistic regression modeling was performed with adjustment for age. Results: Among 1,444 men, 108 (7%) attained 5-6 ICH metrics at baseline. After adjustment for age, none of the baseline indicators of socioeconomic status were associated with attainment of ICH. Conclusion: In our community-dwelling sample of AA men, the proportion of individuals with highest scores for ICH was very low, and SES was not associated with greater attainment of ICH. Strategies to increase attainment of cardiovascular health in AA men by health care professionals and policymakers need to incorporate intentional interventions beyond the scope of SES in order to advance health equity in AA men.

Author(s):  
Rosevine A. Azap ◽  
Timiya S. Nolan ◽  
Darrell M. Gray ◽  
Kiwan Lawson ◽  
John Gregory ◽  
...  

Background Black men are burdened by high cardiovascular risk and the highest all‐cause mortality rate in the United States. Socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with improved cardiovascular risk factors in majority populations, but there is a paucity of data in Black men. Methods and Results We examined the association of SES measures including educational attainment, annual income, employment status, and health insurance status with an ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) score, which included blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, body mass index, physical activity, and smoking in African American Male Wellness Walks. Six metrics of ICH were categorized into a 3‐tiered ICH score 0 to 2, 3 to 4, and 5 to 6. Multinomial logistic regression modeling was performed to examine the association of SES measures with ICH scores adjusted for age. Among 1444 men, 7% attained 5 to 6 ICH metrics. Annual income <$20 000 was associated with a 56% lower odds of attaining 3 to 4 versus 0 to 2 ICH components compared with ≥$75 000 ( P =0.016). Medicare and no insurance were associated with a 39% and 35% lower odds of 3 to 4 versus 0 to 2 ICH components, respectively, compared with private insurance (all P <0.05). Education and employment status were not associated with higher attainment of ICH in Black men. Conclusions Among community‐dwelling Black men, higher attainment of measures of SES showed mixed associations with greater attainment of ICH. The lack of association of higher levels of educational attainment and employment status with ICH suggests that in order to address the long–standing health inequities that affect Black men, strategies to increase attainment of cardiovascular health may need to address additional components beyond SES.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 101151
Author(s):  
Emmanuela B. Aboagye-Mensah ◽  
Rosevine A. Azap ◽  
James B. Odei ◽  
Darrell M. Gray ◽  
Timiya S. Nolan ◽  
...  

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 1050-1054
Author(s):  
Tony Larry Whitehead ◽  
James Peterson ◽  
Linda Kaljee

Objective. Drug trafficking seems to be both prevalent and associated with considerable morbidity and mortality among inner-city African-American males. Survey data has indicated the possible importance of economic need in the rapid emergence of drug trafficking in this population. In the present study, an historical-cultural approach is used to examine this economic relationship further and to explore the role that drug trafficking plays in a society that has permitted its successful and rapid growth. Methodology. Data were obtained from interviews of approximately 600 African-Americans residing in inner-city neighborhoods in Washington, DC and Baltimore during nine drug- and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related studies conducted over 4 years. Results and conclusions. From the perspective of the study participants, the need to provide economic support for one's family as well as to achieve some sense of status, respect, and reputation among one's peers are two core constructs of masculine identity in the United States. The historical and worsening inequities in access to economic resources and power by African-American males are viewed as significantly reducing the opportunity for economic success through more social or legal enterprises. Pursuit of nonmainstream activities (such as drug trafficking) is perceived as offering an opportunity for economic advancement and for establishing a power base for individuals who have been denied access to mainstream opportunities.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Laura E. Danforth

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The majority of African American college students are female, with males representing five percent of the total four-year college population (U.S. Census, 2013). Despite the evolution of race relations in the United States, African American males experience increased residential and school segregation, reduced access to qualified teachers and school staff, discipline disparities due to zero-tolerance policies, and increased likelihood of experiencing school to prison pipeline, all of which reduce their likelihood of enrollment in college (American Psychological Association Task Force, 2008; Aud, Fox, and Kewel-Ramani, 2010; Orfield, Kucsera, and Siegal-Hawley, 2012). In order to shift from deficit to strengths-based perspectives on achievement, a qualitative grounded theory investigation was utilized to uncover essential resources in participants' (N=22) social ecologies that increased the likelihood of college enrollment. As a result, insight was provided into the particular socio-ecological influences and elements that contributed to "pre-college socialization and readiness," (Harper, 2010, pg. 5) that eventually led to enrollment at a four-year college. It was found that family was the most powerful resource in participants' environments, as the initial establishment of the non-negotiable family expectation that they would attend college greatly influenced their selection in peer groups, involvement in positive community programs, as well as whether or not they were able to take advantage of other socio-ecological resources in their environment, such as positive teacher relationships and involvement in school programs.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 131 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Younus ◽  
Ehimen Aneni ◽  
Oluseye Ogunmoroti ◽  
Omar Jamal ◽  
Shozab Ali ◽  
...  

Introduction: With the development of new health metrics to define ideal cardiovascular health (CVH), several studies have examined the distribution of the American Heart Association (AHA) 2020 ideal CVH metrics both within and outside the United States (US). In this meta-analysis of proportions, we synthesized available data on ideal CVH metrics distribution in US cohorts and compared them with non-US populations. Methods: A MEDLINE database search was conducted using relevant free text terms such as “life’s simple 7”, “AHA 2020”, “American Heart Association 2020” and “ideal cardiovascular health” between January 2000 and October 2014. Studies were included in the meta-analysis if the proportions achieving ideal for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or ≥6 ideal CVH metrics were known or could be estimated. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted for US and non-US studies using a random effect model (REM). REM models were chosen because of the significant heterogeneity among studies. Results: Overall the pooled data consisted of 10 US cohorts with a total population of 94,761 participants and 6 non-US cohorts with a total of 130,242 participants. The table shows the pooled prevalence of ideal CVH factors in this population. Overall the pooled estimates of US cohorts showed 15% had 0-1 ideal CVH metrics (inter-study range: 7-22%), while 3% (inter-study range: 1-10%) had 6-7 ideal CVH metrics. This is comparable to 12% (inter-study range 1-17%) and 2% (inter-study range: 1-12%) for 0-1 and 6-7 ideal CVH metrics in the non-US studies. Conclusion: The proportion of persons achieving 6 or more ideal CVH metrics in both US and non-US cohorts is very low and the distribution of CVH metrics is similar in both US and non-US populations. Considering the strong association with worse outcomes, a coordinated global effort at improving CVH should be considered a priority.


Author(s):  
Carl L. Gardiner

The representation of African Americans in the media has been a major concern in mainstream American culture and is also a component of media bias in the United States. Representation, in itself, refers to the construction in any medium of aspects of “reality” such as people, places, objects, events, cultural identities, and other abstract concepts. Such representations may be in speech or writing as well as still or moving pictures. Media representation of minorities is not always seen in a positive light; therefore, representation of African Americans in particular propagates somewhat controversial and misconstrued images of what African American represent. According to Potter, research on the portrayal of African Americans in prime-time television from 1955 to 1986 found that only 6% of the characters were African Americans, while 89% of the TV population was white. Among these African-American characters, 19% lacked a high school diploma, and 47% were low in economic status.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 446-464
Author(s):  
Joshua Chou ◽  
Merton Lee ◽  
Taylor Kaminsky ◽  
Tarlan Namvar ◽  
Catherine E. Cooke ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To assess older adults' perceptions and preferences when comparing multi-medication packaging products.<br/> DESIGN: Qualitative study involving focus group interviews (FGIs) and key informant interviews (KIIs).<br/> SETTING: Interviews were conducted in multiple cities within the United States during June-July 2019.<br/> PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: FGI participants (N=36) included community dwelling adults, 65 years of age or older, who took 5+ chronic medications, or their caregivers. KII participants (N=15) included health care professionals caring for similar populations.<br/> INTERVENTIONS: Participants were given samples of blister packs and pouches and asked about medication management and appearance and usability of medication packaging. Interviews were audio-recorded with participants' consent, then transcribed and coded using Atlas. ti. Recurrent and emergent themes were identified, and selected quotes served as examples of identified themes.<br/> MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Participants' perceptions regarding medication packaging.<br/> RESULTS: Participants' preferences varied for different multi-medication packaging systems. Similarly, most FGI participants did not communicate a strong attitude for or against their existing management systems. However, many FGI participants perceived a need for larger font size than seen on the either of the multimedication packaging samples. KII participants also preferred a larger font size on both packagings. KII participants thought the blister packs offered better visual organization and enabled caregivers to quickly assess adherence. However, KII participants expressed concern about integrating as-needed and short-term use medications and noted difficulty opening both types of packages.<br/> CONCLUSION: Visual appearance is important to both patients and health care providers. Continued research in this area is vital for tailoring packaging types and technology to patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 232-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Juonala ◽  
Sharon Lewis ◽  
Robert McLachlan ◽  
Karin Hammarberg ◽  
Joanne Kennedy ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is ART related with the association of American Heart Association (AHA) ideal cardiovascular health score and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis? SUMMARY ANSWER The associations between AHA score and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in ART and non-ART groups were similar in magnitude. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Long-term consequences of ART on cardiovascular health are unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The study cohort for the cross-sectional analyses consisted of 172 ART-conceived and 78 non-ART conceived individuals of same age (range 22–35 years). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Cardiovascular risk factor status was evaluated with American Heart Association (AHA) ideal cardiovascular health score consisting of seven factors (body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, glucose, diet and physical activity, non-smoking). Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), arterial pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and retinal microvascular parameters were evaluated as markers of early atherosclerosis. Group comparisons in continuous variables were performed with t-tests. For categorical variables, comparisons were performed with chi-square tests. The relationships between AHA score and the markers of atherosclerosis were examined with linear regression analyses adjusted for age and sex. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE There was no difference in AHA ideal health score between the ART and non-ART groups; mean (SD) scores were 4.1(1.4) versus 4.0(1.5), respectively, P = 0.65. No differences were observed between groups for any individual ideal health metric (P always &gt;0.2). AHA score was not associated with cIMT or retinal measures in either group (P always &gt;0.05). An inverse association was observed between AHA score and PWV in the ART group (beta (95% CI) −0.18(−0.26 to −0.10)). A numerically similar relationship was observed in the smaller non-ART group (−0.19(−0.39 to 0.01)). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Even though this cohort is among the largest ART studies with extensive cardiovascular data, the sample is still relatively small and the statistical power is limited. As the study population was still in early adulthood, we were not able to evaluate the associations with clinical cardiovascular events, but utilized non-invasive methods to assess early markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These findings suggest that ART-conceived individuals do not have increased vulnerability for cardiovascular risk factors. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by a National Health & Medical Research Council Project Grant (APP1099641), The Royal Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Monash IVF Research and Education Foundation, and Reproductive Biology Unit Sperm Fund, Melbourne IVF. The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.


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