Race and ethnicity influence atrial fibrillation epidemiology, treatment access, and outcomes, highlighting inequities between White individuals and persons of other races and ethnicities.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects at least 60 million individuals globally, and is associated with substantial impacts on morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. In this review, we focus on how race and ethnicity influence AF epidemiology, risk prediction, treatment, and outcomes, and identify knowledge gaps in these areas. Most AF studies have predominantly included White populations with an underrepresentation of racial and ethnic groups including, but not limited to, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous individuals. Enhancement and implementation of AF risk prediction, prevention, and management call for studies that will gather accurate race-based epidemiological data and evaluate social determinants and genetic factors in the context of multiple races and ethnicities. Available studies highlight inequities in access to treatment as well as outcomes between White individuals and persons of other races/ethnicities. These will need to be addressed by a renewed emphasis on structural and social determinants of health that contribute to AF.
Norby et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation. Race and ethnicity was evaluated. Race and ethnicity influence atrial fibrillation epidemiology, treatment access, and outcomes, highlighting inequities between White individuals and persons of other races and ethnicities.