Investigating the Factors Contributing to the Lower Prevalence of Hyperlipidemia in Hispanic or Latinx Adults Compared to Non-Hispanic White Adults

Background Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, yet Hispanic/Latinx adults in the United States report lower prevalence compared to non-Hispanic White adults despite similar or greater cardiovascular risk factors. Objective To examine disparities in reported hyperlipidemia among Hispanic/Latinx adults and assess the role of social determinants of health, healthcare access, and cultural factors. Methods A cross-sectional, descriptive analysis was conducted using publicly available summary-level data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2019 to 2022. Weighted prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals were compared across ethnic groups. Differences between groups were considered statistically significant if their 95% confidence intervals did not overlap, in accordance with standard practice for analyzing summary-level survey data. Results Hispanic/Latinx adults had significantly lower rates of reported hyperlipidemia (16.4%) and angina (1.1%) compared to non-Hispanic White adults (23.3% and 1.8%, respectively). They also reported fewer wellness visits, lower prescription medication use, and higher rates of uninsurance. These disparities suggest potential underdiagnosis rather than a true difference in disease burden. Conclusion The findings underscore the impact of structural inequities, limited healthcare access, and language barriers on chronic disease diagnosis in Hispanic/Latinx populations. Differences were considered statistically significant based on non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals. As this study relied on self-reported, summary-level data, potential reporting bias and inability to adjust for confounders should be considered. Culturally tailored interventions, bilingual care, and community health worker outreach may help close these gaps and promote equitable cardiovascular outcomes.