Disparities of Mortality Trends Due to Cerebrovascular Diseases and Cerebrovascular Infarction in the United States

Abstract

Background Cerebrovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Understanding demographic differences in mortality rate trends can raise awareness of demographic disparities. We sought to investigate age‐adjusted mortality trends due to cerebrovascular diseases and ischemic stroke for demographic disparities in trend from 1999 to 2020. Methods We used the publicly accessible Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database to gather mortality data to determine trends in cerebrovascular diseases and cerebral infarction mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020. Using the Joinpoint program, temporal trends for cerebrovascular diseases and cerebral infarction mortality were calculated for each demographic group and reported as both annual percentage changes (APCs) or average APC from 1999 to 2020. In addition, trends were compared between groups for significant differences. Results We found an overall decrease in mortality rate for cerebrovascular diseases with average APC −1.9%. In 2020, age‐adjusted mortality rates due to cerebrovascular diseases in the Black population was 1031 per 1 000 000 compared with 679 in the White population. Similarly in 2020, cerebral infarction for the Black population had an age‐adjusted mortality rate of 256.3 compared with the White population's 170.4. When assessing overall trends by race and ethnic group: American Indian/Alaska Native had average APC −2.5%, Asian Pacific Americans had 2.4%, White population had −1.9%, and the Black population had −1.8%. We found a statistically significant difference in trend of decline between the Black and White population cerebrovascular diseases age‐adjusted mortality rates. No significant average APCs were found for cerebral infarction. The results of this study showcase disparities in cerebrovascular diseases mortality in the United States and where additional effort, research, and care should be focused. Conclusion The results of this study showcase disparities in mortality in the United States and where additional effort, research, and care should be focused.