Abstract P170: Ideal Levels of Cardiovascular Health Metrics across Racial and Ethnic Groups in California

Abstract

Introduction: The American Heart Association (AHA) set a goal to improve the cardiovascular health of the nation by 20% by 2020 and identified cardiovascular disease (CVD) health metrics. We estimated the prevalence of adults at ideal levels for six key CVD health metrics among the racial and ethnic groups in California. Methods: Using data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2009 study of adults aged 18 and over, and closely following AHA definitions, we identified prevalence of “poor”, “intermediate”, and “ideal” levels of 6 key CVD health metrics: 1) smoking status, 2) physical activity, 3) BMI, 4) diet score, 5) fasting plasma glucose, and 6) blood pressure among Chinese, Filipino, South Asians, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Caucasians, Mexican Americans, Other Hispanics, African Americans, and Native Americans/ Alaskan Natives living in California (n=46,693, projected = 26.6 mil). The seventh key AHA metric, cholesterol, was not available in our sample. Results: Among all racial/ ethnic groups, physical activity, BMI, and diet score were the metrics at poorest levels. Wide variability in ideal levels for the six key CVD health metrics is seen across all racial/ ethnic groups (table). The CVD health metrics were most consistently poor among American Indians/ Alaskan Natives but were also at low levels for specific Asian, Hispanic, and African American groups. Less than 1% of all California adults had ideal measures for all six CVD Health metrics. Conclusions: Our study shows wide variability between Asian and other racial/ ethnic groups in key CVD health metrics in California. Larger scale national surveys representing all key US racial and ethnic groups are needed to validate these findings and to document the gaps needed to be addressed for improving CVD health. These findings provide opportunities for targeted health outreach to those racial/ ethnic groups most at risk and addressing metrics at poorest attainment. Table. Proportion (%) at Ideal Levels of CVD Health Metrics, by Race and Ethnicity