Associations of Sex, Age and Community Clinic with Hypertension and Dyslipidemia among Hispanics in Northeast Texas

Abstract

Background: Despite efforts to eliminate health disparities among Hispanics, inequalities still exist in the US. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between demographic factors (community clinic, age and sex) with systolic hypertension, diastolic hypertension and various dyslipidemias among Hispanics in Northeast Texas. Methods: Data were collected from 447 Hispanic adults aged ≥18 years from three types of community health clinics (a Federal Qualified Health clinic, a Community Health Center and a Faith-Based Organization). We used ANOVA models to assess mean differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL levels. Logistic regression models evaluated the associations between community clinic, age and sex with systolic hypertension, diastolic hypertension and various dyslipidemias. Results: A majority of participants did not complete high school and/or were uninsured. Additionally, two in five participants reported current unemployment. Significant differences in mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and HDL levels across community clinics were observed. When we stratified by sex, we found evidence of hypertension and dyslipidemia among Hispanic men from the Community Health Center serving seasonal/migrant workers. Hispanic men demonstrated markedly increased odds for systolic hypertension and low HDL levels. Finally, we identified a positive association between the Community Health Center and diastolic hypertension. Conclusion: We provide evidence of increased odds for hypertension and dyslipidemia among Hispanic men (as compared to women), participants from the CHC that served seasonal/migrant workers (as compared to the FQHC), and older participants (as compared to participants in the youngest age group). The poor health outcomes observed among the Hispanics in our study are not likely to improve following implementation of the Affordable Care Act without improved education and outreach. Therefore, we propose that policymakers and healthcare professionals should provide culturally relevant health education, specifically targeting Hispanic men and older Hispanics.