Abstract
Acculturation and immigration-related factors may impact preventive, routine cardiovascular risk (CV) screening among African immigrants. We examined the associations between length of stay, percent of life spent in the U.S. (proxy for acculturation), and CV screening. Outcomes were recent screening for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine these relationships. Among 437 African immigrants, 60% were males, mean age was 47 years, 61% had lived in the U.S. for ≥10 years, mean length of stay was 15 years, and 81% were employed. Only 67% were insured. In the 12 months prior, 85% had screened for hypertension, 45% for diabetes, and 63% for dyslipidemia. African immigrants with a ≥10-year length of U.S. stay had 2.20 (95%Confidence Intervals: 1.31–3.67), and those with >25% years of life spent in the U.S. had 3.62 (95%CI: 1.96–6.68) higher odds of dyslipidemia screening compared to those with a <10-year length of stay and ≤25% years of life spent in the U.S., respectively. Overall, screening for CV risk higher in African immigrants who have lived longer (≥10 years) in the U.S. Recent African immigrants may experience challenges in accessing healthcare. Health policies targeting recent and uninsured African immigrants may improve access to CV screening services.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.) and globally [1] CVD risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, are modifiable through lifestyle changes, the burden of CVD remains high and accounts for one-third of deaths in the U.S every year [2]
We summarized the prevalence of blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and lipids screenings in graphs, including the percent difference by length of stay (
Compared to those with
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.) and globally [1] CVD risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, are modifiable through lifestyle changes, the burden of CVD remains high and accounts for one-third of deaths in the U.S every year [2]. The U.S Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly screening for adults age 40 years or older and those at increased risk for hypertension [4]. Black adults in the U.S have a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes and higher rates of CVD mortality than other racial/ethnic groups [1]. Over the last four decades, the number of African immigrants has increased from 130,000 to over 2 million [5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
