Lower socioeconomic status was associated with lower cardiovascular health scores in Black Americans, with a greater magnitude in women (e.g., 8.8-point lower score for lowest vs highest education).
Cross-Sectional
Does socioeconomic status associate with cardiovascular health scores differently by sex in Black Americans?
Lower socioeconomic status is associated with worse cardiovascular health in Black Americans, with a significantly greater negative impact observed in women compared to men.
Mean Difference: -8.8 (95% CI -10.2–-7.3)
p-value: p=<0.01
Background Socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with cardiovascular health (CVH). Potential differences by sex in this association remain incompletely understood in Black Americans, where SES disparities are posited to be partially responsible for cardiovascular inequities. The association of SES measures (income, education, occupation, and insurance) with CVH scores was examined in the Jackson Heart Study. Methods and Results American Heart Association CVH components (non–high‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, diet, tobacco use, physical activity, sleep, glycemia, and body mass index) were scored cross‐sectionally at baseline (scale: 0–100). Differences in CVH and 95% CIs (Estimate, 95% CI) were calculated using linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, and discrimination. Heterogeneity by sex was assessed. Participants had a mean age of 54. 8 years (SD 12. 6 years), and 65% were women. Lower income, education, occupation (non‐management/professional versus management/professional occupations), and insurance status (uninsured, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, or Medicare versus private insurance) were associated with lower CVH scores (all P high school) was associated with 8. 8‐point lower (95% CI: −10. 2 to −7. 3) and 5. 4‐point lower (95% CI: −7. 2 to −3. 6) CVH scores in women and men, respectively (interaction P =0. 003). The lowest (<25 000) versus highest level of income (≥75 000) was associated with a greater reduction in CVH scores in women than men (interaction P =0. 1142). Conclusions Among Black Americans, measures of SES were associated with CVH, with a greater magnitude in women compared with men for education and income. Interventions aimed to address CVH through SES should consider the role of sex.
Joseph et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular health. Lower socioeconomic status (income, education, occupation, insurance) vs. Higher socioeconomic status was evaluated on American Heart Association CVH score (scale: 0-100) (MD -8.8, 95% CI -10.2 to -7.3, p=<0.01). Lower socioeconomic status was associated with lower cardiovascular health scores in Black Americans, with a greater magnitude in women (e.g., 8.8-point lower score for lowest vs highest education).