Background:
Significant racial/ethnic disparities exist in the cardiovascular health of the nation. Prior studies have identified differences between groups, but have not summarized trends in these disparities across multiple race/ethnic subgroups, which could allow us to assess the extent to which we are achieving disparity-related goals.
Methods:
We used NHANES Surveys from cycles 1999–2000, 2001–2002, 2003–2004, and 2005–2006 to examine the age-adjusted prevalence of ideal levels of CV health factors by race/ethnicity. Ideal levels of BMI, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, diet, physical activity and smoking were defined according to the AHA 2020 strategic goals. Racial/ethnic groups were categorized as Hispanic, Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black and other. Both absolute (Between Group Variance- BGV) and relative measures (Theil Index -T) of disparities were calculated, calculations were weighted by population share. The percentage change in disparities relative to 1999–2000 was examined.
Results:
Age-adjusted rates of ideal CV health components and the percentage change from 1999–2006 varied by race/ethnicity (see Table). Disparities in the prevalence rates of ideal levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and physical activity have increased dramatically between race/ethnic groups in both men and women (see Table). Disparities in smoking and diet have increased in men but decreased in women. Disparities in BMI have changed little in men (BGV= 0.5%, T=−37.8%), but increased dramatically in women (BGV= 894%, T=280%). Findings were generally similar for both absolute and relative measures of disparities.
Conclusions:
Representative national data on these summary measures of disparities suggest that disparities between race/ethnic groups have increased for many cardiovascular health factors over the past decade. Understanding the issues underlying these increasing disparities and addressing them will be critical to improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 2020 and beyond.
Racial-ethnic disparities in acute blood pressure after intracerebral hemorrhage
