Association of cardiovascular risk profile with premature all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in US adults: findings from a national study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between cardiovascular risk factor (CRF) profile and premature all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among US adults (age < 65). METHODS: This study used data from the National Health Interview Survey from 2006 to 2014, linked to the National Death Index for non-elderly adults aged < 65 years. A composite CRF score (range = 0-6) was calculated, based on the presence or absence of six established cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, obesity, and insufficient physical activity. CRF profile was defined as "Poor" (≥ 3 risk factors), "Average" (1-2), or "Optimal" (0 risk factors). Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were reported across CRF profile categories, separately for all-cause and CVD mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between CRF profile and all-cause and CVD mortality. RESULTS: Among 195,901 non-elderly individuals (mean age: 40.4 ± 13.0, 50% females and 70% Non-Hispanic (NH) White adults), 24.8% had optimal, 58.9% average, and 16.2% poor CRF profiles, respectively. Participants with poor CRF profile were more likely to be NH Black, have lower educational attainment and lower income compared to those with optimal CRF profile. All-cause and CVD mortality rates were three to four fold higher in individuals with poor CRF profile, compared to their optimal profile counterparts. Adults with poor CRF profile experienced 3.5-fold (aHR: 3.48 [95% CI: 2.96, 4.10]) and 5-fold (aHR: 4.76 [3.44, 6.60]) higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively, compared to those with optimal profile. These results were consistent across age, sex, and race/ethnicity subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study, non-elderly adults with poor CRF profile had a three to five-fold higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, compared to those with optimal CRF profile. Targeted prevention efforts to achieve optimal cardiovascular risk profile are imperative to reduce the persistent burden of premature all-cause and CVD mortality in the US.

Cumulative social disadvantage and health-related quality of life: national health interview survey 2013-2017.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the association between social determinants of health (SDoH) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is largely based on single SDoH measures, with limited evaluation of cumulative social disadvantage. We examined the association between cumulative social disadvantage and the Health and Activity Limitation Index (HALex). METHODS: Using adult data from the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017), we created a cumulative disadvantage index by aggregating 47 deprivations across 6 SDoH domains. Respondents were ranked using cumulative SDoH index quartiles (SDoH-Q1 to Q4), with higher quartile groups being more disadvantaged. We used two-part models for continuous HALex scores and logistic regression for poor HALex (< 20th percentile score) to examine HALex differences associated with cumulative disadvantage. Lower HALex scores implied poorer HRQoL performance. RESULTS: The study sample included 156,182 respondents, representing 232.8 million adults in the United States (mean age 46 years; 51.7% women). The mean HALex score was 0.85 and 17.7% had poor HALex. Higher SDoH quartile groups had poorer HALex performance (lower scores and increased prevalence of poor HALex). A unit increase in SDoH index was associated with - 0.010 (95% CI [-0.011, -0.010]) difference in HALex score and 20% higher odds of poor HALex (odds ratio, OR = 1.20; 95% CI [1.19, 1.21]). Relative to SDoH-Q1, SDoH-Q4 was associated with HALex score difference of -0.086 (95% CI [-0.089, -0.083]) and OR = 5.32 (95% CI [4.97, 5.70]) for poor HALex. Despite a higher burden of cumulative social disadvantage, Hispanics had a weaker SDoH-HALex association than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative social disadvantage was associated with poorer HALex performance in an incremental fashion. Innovations to incorporate SDoH-screening tools into clinical decision systems must continue in order to accurately identify socially vulnerable groups in need of both clinical risk mitigation and social support. To maximize health returns, policies can be tailored through community partnerships to address systemic barriers that exist within distinct sociodemographic groups, as well as demographic differences in health perception and healthcare experience.

Low educational attainment is associated with higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the United States adult population.

INTRODUCTION: Educational attainment is an important social determinant of health (SDOH) for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between educational attainment and all-cause and CVD mortality has not been longitudinally evaluated on a population-level in the US, especially in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In this nationally representative study, we assessed the association between educational attainment and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality in the general adult population and in adults with ASCVD in the US. METHODS: We used data from the 2006-2014 National Death Index-linked National Health Interview Survey for adults ≥ 18 years. We generated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) by levels of educational attainment (< high school (HS), HS/General Education Development (GED), some college, and ≥ College) in the overall population and in adults with ASCVD. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the multivariable-adjusted associations between educational attainment and all-cause and CVD mortality. RESULTS: The sample comprised 210,853 participants (mean age 46.3), representing ~ 189 million adults annually, of which 8% had ASCVD. Overall, 14.7%, 27%, 20.3%, and 38% of the population had educational attainment < HS, HS/GED, Some College, and ≥ College, respectively. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, all-cause age-adjusted mortality rates were 400.6 vs. 208.6 and 1446.7 vs. 984.0 for the total and ASCVD populations for < HS vs ≥ College education, respectively. CVD age adjusted mortality rates were 82.1 vs. 38.7 and 456.4 vs 279.5 for the total and ASCVD populations for < HS vs ≥ College education, respectively. In models adjusting for demographics and SDOH, < HS (reference = ≥ College) was associated with 40-50% increased risk of mortality in the total population and 20-40% increased risk of mortality in the ASCVD population, for both all-cause and CVD mortality. Further adjustment for traditional risk factors attenuated the associations but remained statistically significant for < HS in the overall population. Similar trends were seen across sociodemographic subgroups including age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, and insurance status. CONCLUSIONS: Lower educational attainment is independently associated with increased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality in both the total and ASCVD populations, with the highest risk observed for individuals with < HS education. Future efforts to understand persistent disparities in CVD and all-cause mortality should pay close attention to the role of education, and include educational attainment as an independent predictor in mortality risk prediction algorithms.

Delayed medical care due to transportation barriers among adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: In patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), barriers related to transportation may impair access to care, with potential implications for prognosis. Although few studies have explored transportation barriers among patients with ASCVD, the correlates of delayed care due to transportation barriers have not been examined in this population. We aimed to examine this in U.S. patients with ASCVD using nationally representative data. METHODS: Using data from the 2009-2018 National Health Interview Survey, we estimated the self-reported prevalence of delayed medical care due to transportation barriers among adults with ASCVD, overall and by sociodemographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between various sociodemographic characteristics and delayed care due to transportation barriers. RESULTS: Among adults with ASCVD, 4.5% (95% CI; 4.2, 4.8) or ∼876,000 annually reported delayed care due to transportation barriers. Income (low-income: odds ratio [OR] 4.43, 95% CI [3.04, 6.46]; lowest-income: OR 6.35, 95% CI [4.36, 9.23]) and Medicaid insurance (OR 4.53; 95% CI [3.27, 6.29]) were strongly associated with delayed care due to transportation barriers. Additionally, younger individuals, women, non-Hispanic Black adults, and those from the U.S. South or Midwest, had higher odds of reporting delayed care due to transportation barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 5% of adults with ASCVD experience delayed care due to transportation barriers. Vulnerable groups include young adults, women, low-income people, and those with public/no insurance. Future studies should analyze the feasibility and potential benefits of interventions such as use of telehealth, mobile clinics, and provision of transportation among patients with ASCVD in the U.S.

Financial Hardship Among Nonelderly Adults With CKD in the United States.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: The burden of financial hardship among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been extensively studied. Therefore, we describe the scope and determinants of financial hardship among a nationally representative sample of adults with CKD. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Nonelderly adults with CKD from the 2014-2018 National Health Interview Survey. EXPOSURE: Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. OUTCOME: Financial hardship based on medical bills and consequences of financial hardship (high financial distress, food insecurity, cost-related medication nonadherence, delayed/forgone care due to cost). Financial hardship was categorized into 3 levels: no financial hardship, financial hardship but able to pay bills, and unable to pay bills at all. Financial hardship was then modeled in 2 different ways: (1) any financial hardship (regardless of ability to pay) versus no financial hardship and (2) inability to pay bills versus no financial hardship and financial hardship but able to pay bills. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Nationally representative estimates of financial hardship from medical bills were computed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of sociodemographic and clinical factors with the outcomes of financial hardship based on medical bills. RESULTS: A total 1,425 individuals, representing approximately 2.1 million Americans, reported a diagnosis of CKD within the past year, of whom 46.9% (95% CI, 43.7%-50.2%) reported experiencing financial hardship from medical bills; 20.9% (95% CI, 18.5%-23.6%) reported inability to pay medical bills at all. Lack of insurance was the strongest determinant of financial hardship in this population (odds ratio, 4.06 [95% CI, 2.18-7.56]). LIMITATIONS: Self-reported nature of CKD diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half the nonelderly US population with CKD experiences financial hardship from medical bills that is associated strongly with lack of insurance. Evidence-based clinical and policy interventions are needed to address these hardships.

Addition of Social Determinants of Health to Coronary Heart Disease Risk Prediction: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health (SDoH) are associated with cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes; however, they are absent from risk prediction models. We aimed to assess if the addition of SDoH improves the predictive ability of the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) Risk Score. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a community-based prospective population cohort study that enrolled 6286 men and women, ages 45-84 years, who were free of clinical coronary heart disease (CHD) at baseline. Data from 10-year follow-up were examined for CHD events, defined as myocardial infarction, fatal CHD, resuscitated cardiac arrest, and revascularization in cases of anginal symptoms. Participants included 53% women with average age of 62 years. When adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, SDoH, and coronary artery calcium, economic strain, specifically low family income, was associated with a greater risk of CHD events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.42 [95% CI, 1.17-1.71], P value<0.001). Area under the curve of risk prediction with SDoH was 0.822, compared with 0.816 without SDoH. The calibration slope was 0.860 with SDoH and 0.878 in the original model. CONCLUSIONS: Significant associations were found between economic/financial SDoH and CHD risk factors and outcomes. Incorporation of SDoH into the MESA Risk Score did not improve predictive ability of the model. Our findings do not support the incorporation of SDoH into current risk prediction algorithms.

Social disadvantage, coronary artery calcium, and their interplay in the prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Social determinants of health (SDOH) are key for the identification of populations at increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, whether at the individual level SDOH improve current ASCVD risk prediction paradigms beyond traditional risk factors and the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, is unknown. We evaluated the interplay between CAC and SDOH in ASCVD risk prediction. METHODS: MESA is a prospective study of US adults free of clinical ASCVD at baseline. We used an SDOH index inclusive of 14 determinants from 5 domains. The index ranged 0-1 and was divided into quartiles, with higher ones representing worse SDOH. Cox regression was used to evaluate the adjusted associations between CAC, SDOH, their interplay, and ASCVD events. The C-statistic was computed to assess improvement in risk discrimination for prediction of ASCVD events. RESULTS: We included 6479 MESA participants (50% with CAC = 0, 24% CAC>100). ASCVD incidence increased with increasing CAC scores across SDOH quartiles. The lowest incidence was noted in those with CAC = 0 and favourable SDOH (2/1000 person-years) and highest in those with CAC>100 and most unfavourable SDOH (20.6/1000 person-years). While CAC was strongly associated with ASCVD across SDOH quartiles, SDOH was weakly associated with ASCVD across CAC strata. CAC improved the discriminatory ability of all prediction models beyond traditional risk factors, the improvement in C-statistic ranging +0.02 - +0.05. Improvements with SDOH were smaller, and were none on top of CAC. CONCLUSIONS: CAC improves ASCVD risk stratification across the spectrum of social vulnerability, while SDOH fail to improve risk prediction beyond traditional RFs and CAC.

Multidimensional Poverty and Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A U.S. National Study.

Background: Poverty is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). While poverty can be evaluated using income, a unidimensional poverty metric inadequately captures socioeconomic adversity. Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the association between a multidimensional poverty measure and ASCVD. Methods: Survey data from the National Health Interview Survey was analyzed. Four poverty dimensions were used: income, education, self-reported health, and health insurance status. A weighted deprivation score (c i ) was calculated for each person. The multidimensional poverty index was computed for various cutoffs, k, for total population, and by ASCVD status. The association between multidimensional poverty and ASCVD was examined using Poisson regression. Area under receiver operator characteristics curve analysis was performed to compare the multidimensional poverty measure with the income poverty measure as a classification tool for ASCVD. Results: Among the 328,164 participants, 55.0% were females, the mean age was 46.3 years, 63.1% were non-Hispanic Whites, and 14.1% were non-Hispanic Blacks. Participants with ASCVD (7.95%) experienced greater deprivation at each multidimensional poverty cutoff, k, compared to those without ASCVD. In adjusted models, higher burden of multidimensional poverty was associated with up to 2.4-fold increased prevalence of ASCVD (c i  = 0.25, adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.66, P < 0.001; c i  = 0.50, aPR = 1.99; c i  = 0.75, aPR = 2.29; P < 0.001; c i  = 1.00, aPR = 2.38, P < 0.001). Multidimensional poverty exhibited modestly higher discriminant validity, compared to income poverty (area under receiver operator characteristics = 0.62 vs 0.58). Conclusions: There is an association between the multidimensional poverty and ASCVD. Multidimensional poverty index demonstrates slightly better discriminatory power than income alone. Future validation studies are warranted to redefine poverty's role in health outcomes.

Body Mass Index and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in United States Adults With and Without Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey.

In a nationally representative population-based study of US adults, the authors sought to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in a nationally representative sample of adults with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and further stratified by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The study used data from 2006 to 2015 National Health Interview Survey and categorized participants into the following BMI categories: normal weight (20-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), obesity class 1 (30-34.9), obesity class 2 (35-39.9), and obesity class 3 (≥40 kg/m2). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality across successively increasing BMI categories overall, and by sociodemographic subgroups. A total of 210,923 individuals were included in the final analysis. In the population without ASCVD, the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality was lower in overweight and higher in obesity classes 2 and 3, compared with normal weight, with the highest risk observed in the young adult (age 18-39) population. Elderly adults (65 and above) and populations with ASCVD exhibited a BMI-mortality paradox. In addition, Hispanic individuals did not show a relationship between BMI and mortality compared with non-Hispanic White and Black adults. In conclusion, being overweight was associated with decreased risk, whereas obesity class 3 was consistently associated with increased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality in adults without ASCVD, particularly young adults. BMI-mortality paradox was noted in ASCVD, elderly, and non-Hispanic adults.

Neighborhood deprivation and morbid obesity: Insights from the Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Disease Health System Learning Registry.

This study examined the relationship between a validated measure of socioeconomic deprivation, such as the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and morbid obesity. We used cross-sectional data on adult patients (≥18 years) in the Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Disease Health System Learning Registry (located in Houston, Texas, USA) between June 2016 and July 2021. Each patient was grouped by quintiles of ADI, with higher quintiles signaling greater deprivation. BMI was calculated using measured height and weight with morbid obesity defined as ≥ 40 kg/m2. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between ADI and morbid obesity adjusting for demographic (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) factors. Out of the 751,174 adults with an ADI ranking included in the analysis, 6.9 % had morbid obesity (n = 51,609). Patients in the highest ADI quintile had a higher age-adjusted prevalence (10.9 % vs 3.3 %), and about 4-fold odds (aOR, 3.8; 95 % CI = 3.6, 3.9) of morbid obesity compared to the lowest ADI quintile. We tested for and found interaction effects between ADI and each demographic factor, with stronger ADI-morbid obesity association observed for patients that were female, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White and 40-65 years old. The highest ADI quintile also had a high prevalence (44 %) of any obesity (aOR, 2.2; 95 % CI = 2.1, 2.2). In geospatial mapping, areas with higher ADI were more likely to have higher proportion of patients with morbid obesity. Census-based measures, like the ADI, may be informative for area-level obesity reduction strategies as it can help identify neighborhoods at high odds of having patients with morbid obesity.

Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Risk, Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease, and Cardiovascular Events.

Background Although there is research on the impact of social determinants of health (SDOHs) on cardiovascular health, most existing evidence is based on individual SDOH components. We evaluated the impact of cumulative SDOH burden on cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical atherosclerosis, and incident cardiovascular disease events. Methods and Results We included 6479 participants from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). A weighted aggregate SDOH score representing the cumulative number of unfavorable SDOHs, identified from 14 components across 5 domains (economic stability, neighborhood and physical environment, community and social context, education, and health care system access) was calculated and divided into quartiles (quartile 4 being the least favorable). The impact of cumulative SDOH burden on cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity), systemic inflammation, subclinical atherosclerosis, and incident cardiovascular disease was evaluated. Increasing social disadvantage was associated with increased odds of all cardiovascular risk factors except dyslipidemia. Smoking was the risk factor most strongly associated with worse SDOH (odds ratio [OR], 2.67 for quartile 4 versus quartile 1 [95% CI, 2.13-3.34]). Participants within SDOH quartile 4 had 33% higher odds of increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.11-1.60]) and 31% higher risk of all cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.03-1.67]), yet no greater burden of subclinical atherosclerosis (OR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.79-1.29]), when compared with those in quartile 1. Conclusions Increasing social disadvantage was associated with more prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation, and incident cardiovascular disease. These findings call for better identification of SDOHs in clinical practice and stronger measures to mitigate the higher SDOH burden among the socially disadvantaged to improve cardiovascular outcomes.

Unfavorable social determinants of health are associated with higher burden of financial toxicity among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the US: findings from the National Health Interview Survey.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of financial toxicity, defined as excess financial strain from healthcare, in the US. Identifying factors that put patients at greatest risk can help inform more targeted and cost-effective interventions. Specific social determinants of health (SDOH) such as income are associated with a higher risk of experiencing financial toxicity from healthcare, however, the associations between more comprehensive measures of cumulative social disadvantage and financial toxicity from healthcare are poorly understood. METHODS: Using the National Health Interview Survey (2013-17), we assessed patients with self-reported ASCVD. We identified 34 discrete SDOH items, across 6 domains: economic stability, education, food poverty, neighborhood conditions, social context, and health systems. To capture the cumulative effect of SDOH, an aggregate score was computed as their sum, and divided into quartiles, the highest (quartile 4) containing the most unfavorable scores. Financial toxicity included presence of: difficulty paying medical bills, and/or delayed/foregone care due to cost, and/or cost-related medication non-adherence. RESULTS: Approximately 37% of study participants reported experiencing financial toxicity from healthcare, with a prevalence of 15% among those in SDOH Q1 vs 68% in SDOH Q4. In fully-adjusted regression analyses, individuals in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles of the aggregate SDOH score had 1.90 (95% CI 1.60, 2.26), 3.66 (95% CI 3.11, 4.35), and 8.18 (95% CI 6.83, 9.79) higher odds of reporting any financial toxicity from healthcare, when compared with participants in the 1st quartile. The associations were consistent in age-stratified analyses, and were also present in analyses restricted to non-economic SDOH domains and to 7 upstream SDOH features. CONCLUSIONS: An unfavorable SDOH profile was strongly and independently associated with subjective financial toxicity from healthcare. This analysis provides further evidence to support policies and interventions aimed at screening for prevalent financial toxicity and for high financial toxicity risk among socially vulnerable groups.

Cardiovascular risk profile of Middle Eastern immigrants living in the United States-the National Health Interview Survey.

BACKGROUND: Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants are one of the fastest-growing groups in the US. Although ME countries have a high burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the cardiovascular health status among ME immigrants in the US has not been studied in detail. This study aims to characterize the cardiovascular health status (CVD risk factors and ASCVD burden) among ME immigrants in the US. METHODS: We used 2012-2018 data from the National Health Interview Survey, a US nationally representative survey. ME origin, CVD risk factors, and ASCVD status were self-reported. We compared these to US-born non-Hispanic white (NHW) individuals in the US. RESULTS: Among 139,778 adults included, 886 (representing 1.3 million individuals, mean age 46.8) were of ME origin, and 138,892 were US-born NHWs (representing 150 million US adults, mean age 49.3). ME participants were more likely to have higher education, lower income and be uninsured. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension (22.4% vs 27.4%) and obesity (21.4% vs 31.4%) were significantly lower in ME vs NHW participants, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups in the age-adjusted prevalence of ASCVD, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. Only insufficient physical activity was higher among ME individuals. ME immigrants living in the US for 10 years or more reported higher age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and ASCVD. CONCLUSIONS: ME immigrants in the US have lower odds of hypertension and obesity, and of having a suboptimal CRF profile compared to US-born NHWs. Further studies are needed to determine whether these findings are related to lower risk, selection of a healthier ME subgroup in NHIS, or possible under-detection of cardiovascular risk factors in ME immigrants living in the US.

Race, Racism, and Cardiovascular Health: Applying a Social Determinants of Health Framework to Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease.

Health care in the United States has seen many great innovations and successes in the past decades. However, to this day, the color of a person's skin determines-to a considerable degree-his/her prospects of wellness; risk of disease, and death; and the quality of care received. Disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD)-the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally-are one of the starkest reminders of social injustices, and racial inequities, which continue to plague our society. People of color-including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, and others-experience varying degrees of social disadvantage that puts these groups at increased risk of CVD and poor disease outcomes, including mortality. Racial/ethnic disparities in CVD, while documented extensively, have not been examined from a broad, upstream, social determinants of health lens. In this review, we apply a comprehensive social determinants of health framework to better understand how structural racism increases individual and cumulative social determinants of health burden for historically underserved racial and ethnic groups, and increases their risk of CVD. We analyze the link between race, racism, and CVD, including major pathways and structural barriers to cardiovascular health, using 5 distinct social determinants of health domains: economic stability; neighborhood and physical environment; education; community and social context; and healthcare system. We conclude with a set of research and policy recommendations to inform future work in the field, and move a step closer to health equity.

Social Determinants of Suboptimal Cardiovascular Health Among Pregnant Women in the United States.

Background Suboptimal cardiovascular health (CVH) and social determinants of health (SDOH) have a significant impact on maternal morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the association of SDOH with suboptimal CVH among pregnant women in the United States. Methods and Results We examined cross-sectional data of pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years from the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017). We ascertained optimal and suboptimal CVH based on the presence of 0 to 1 and ≥2 risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, current smoking, obesity, and insufficient physical activity), respectively. We calculated an aggregate SDOH score representing 38 variables from 6 domains (economic stability; neighborhood, physical environment, and social cohesion; community and social context; food; education; and healthcare system) and divided into quartiles. We used Poisson regression model to evaluate the association of SDOH with suboptimal CVH and risk factors. Our study included 1433 pregnant women (28.8±5.5 years, 13% non-Hispanic Black). Overall, 38.4% (95% CI, 33.9-43.0) had suboptimal CVH versus 51.7% (95% CI, 47.0-56.3) among those in the fourth SDOH quartile. Risk ratios of suboptimal CVH, smoking, obesity, and insufficient physical activity were 2.05 (95% CI, 1.46-2.88), 8.37 (95% CI, 3.00-23.43), 1.54 (95% CI, 1.17-2.03), and 1.19 (95% CI, 1.01-1.42), respectively among those in the fourth SDOH quartile compared with the first quartile. Conclusions Over 50% of pregnant women with the highest SDOH burden had suboptimal CVH, highlighting the public health urgency for interventions in socially disadvantaged pregnant women with renewed strategies toward improving modifiable risk factors, especially smoking and insufficient physical activity.

Social Determinants of Health Among Non-Elderly Adults With Stroke in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of social determinants of health (SDOH) on prevalence of stroke in non-elderly adults (<65 years of age). METHODS: We used the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017) database. The study population was stratified into younger (<45 years of age) and middle age (45 to 64 years of age) adults. For each individual, an SDOH aggregate score was calculated representing the cumulative number of individual unfavorable SDOH (present vs absent), identified from 39 subcomponents across five domains (economic stability, neighborhood, community and social context, food, education, and health care system access) and divided into quartiles (quartile 1, most favorable; quartile 4, most unfavorable). Multivariable models tested the association between SDOH score quartiles and stroke. RESULTS: The age-adjusted prevalence of stroke was 1.4% in the study population (n=123,631; 58.2% (n=71,956) in patients <45 years of age). Young adults reported approximately 20% of all strokes. Participants with stroke had unfavorable responses to 36 of 39 SDOH; nearly half (48%) of all strokes were reported by participants in the highest SDOH score quartile. A stepwise increase in age-adjusted stroke prevalence was observed across increasing quartiles of SDOH (first, 0.6%; second, 0.9%; third, 1.4%; and fourth, 2.9%). After accounting for demographics and cardiovascular disease risk factors, participants in the fourth vs first quartile had higher odds of stroke (odds ratio, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.25 to 3.45). CONCLUSION: Nearly half of all non-elderly individuals with stroke have an unfavorable SDOH profile. Standardized assessment of SDOH risk burden may inform targeted strategies to mitigate disparities in stroke burden and outcomes in this population.

Inflammatory bowel disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in U.S. adults-A population-level analysis in the national health interview survey.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and whether this association is modified by age or sex. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2015-2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The exposure of interest was self-reported IBD. The outcome of interest was prevalent ASCVD, which included a history of angina, myocardial infarction or stroke. We used survey-specific descriptive statistics to obtain weighted national estimates for IBD and ASCVD prevalence. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between IBD and ASCVD, progressively adjusting for demographics and traditional risk factors. Effect modification by age and sex was evaluated. RESULTS: Among participants with IBD, the age-adjusted prevalence of ASCVD was 12.0% compared to 6.9% among those without IBD (p < 0.001). In multivariable regression analyses IBD was associated with increased odds of having ASCVD, even after adjustment for demographics and traditional risk factors (odds ratio 1.58, 95% CI 1.17-2.13). We found statistically significant interaction by age (p < 0.001) whereby those in the younger age strata had the strongest association (fully adjusted odds ratio among 18- to 44-year-olds 3.35, 95% CI 1.75, 6.40) while the association was null in those ≥65 years. Effect modification by sex was not observed. CONCLUSION: Our analysis confirms an independent association between IBD and ASCVD in the U.S., particularly among young adults. Further studies are needed to fully establish a causal relationship between IBD and ASCVD, characterize the mechanisms underlying these associations, and identify tailored opportunities for ASCVD prevention in young and middle-aged adults with IBD.

Social Determinants of Adherence to COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Measures Among Adults With Cardiovascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health (SDOH) may limit the practice of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk mitigation guidelines with health implications for individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD). Population-based evidence of the association between SDOH and practicing such mitigation strategies in adults with CVD is lacking. We used the National Opinion Research Center's COVID-19 Household Impact Survey conducted between April and June 2020 to evaluate sociodemographic disparities in adherence to COVID-19 risk mitigation measures in a sample of respondents with underlying CVD representing 18 geographic areas of the United States. METHODS: CVD status was ascertained by self-reported history of receiving heart disease, heart attack, or stroke diagnosis. We built de novo, a cumulative index of SDOH burden using education, insurance, economic stability, 30-day food security, urbanicity, neighborhood quality, and integration. We described the practice of measures under the broad strategies of personal protection (mask, hand hygiene, and physical distancing), social distancing (avoiding crowds, restaurants, social activities, and high-risk contact), and work flexibility (work from home, canceling/postponing work). We reported prevalence ratios and 95% CIs for the association between SDOH burden (quartiles of cumulative indices) and practicing these measures adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidity, and interview wave. RESULTS: Two thousand thirty-six of 25 269 (7.0%) adults, representing 8.69 million in 18 geographic areas of the United States, reported underlying CVD. Compared with the least SDOH burden, fewer individuals with the greatest SDOH burden practiced all personal protection (75.6% versus 89.0%) and social distancing measures (41.9% versus 58.9%) and had any flexible work schedule (26.2% versus 41.4%). These associations remained statistically significant after full adjustment: personal protection (prevalence ratio, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.73-0.96]; P=0.009), social distancing (prevalence ratio, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.51-0.94]; P=0.018), and work flexibility (prevalence ratio, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.36-0.79]; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: SDOH burden is associated with lower COVID-19 risk mitigation practices in the CVD population. Identifying and prioritizing individuals whose medical vulnerability is compounded by social adversity may optimize emerging preventive efforts, including vaccination guidelines.

Scope and Social Determinants of Food Insecurity Among Adults With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the United States.

Background Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) results in high out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures predisposing to food insecurity. However, the burden and determinants of food insecurity in this population are unknown. Methods and Results Using 2013 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey data, we evaluated the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of food insecurity among adults with ASCVD in the United States. ASCVD was defined as self-reported diagnosis of coronary heart disease or stroke. Food security was measured using the 10-item US Adult Food Security Survey Module. Of the 190 113 study participants aged 18 years or older, 18 442 (adjusted prevalence 8.2%) had ASCVD, representing ≈20 million US adults annually. Among adults with ASCVD, 2968 or 14.6% (weighted ≈2.9 million US adults annually) reported food insecurity compared with 9.1% among those without ASCVD (P<0.001). Individuals with ASCVD who were younger (odds ratio [OR], 4.0 [95% CI, 2.8-5.8]), women (OR, 1.2 [1.0-1.3]), non-Hispanic Black (OR, 2.3 [1.9-2.8]), or Hispanic (OR, 1.6 [1.2-2.0]), had private (OR, 1.8 [1.4-2.3]) or no insurance (OR, 2.3 [1.7-3.1]), were divorced/widowed/separated (OR, 1.2 [1.0-1.4]), and had low family income (OR, 4.7 [4.0-5.6]) were more likely to be food insecure. Among those with ASCVD and 6 of these high-risk characteristics, 53.7% reported food insecurity and they had 36-times (OR, 36.2 [22.6-57.9]) higher odds of being food insecure compared with those with ≤1 high-risk characteristic. Conclusion About 1 in 7 US adults with ASCVD experience food insecurity, with more than 1 in 2 adults reporting food insecurity among the most vulnerable sociodemographic subgroups. There is an urgent need to address the barriers related to food security in this population.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a nationally representative adult population with inflammatory bowel disease without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic inflammation is associated with premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We studied the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) amongst individuals with IBD who have not developed ASCVD. METHODS: Our study population was derived from the 2015 - 2016 National Health Interview Survey. Those with ASCVD (defined as myocardial infarction, angina or stroke) were excluded. The prevalence of CRFs among individuals with IBD was compared with those without IBD. The odds CRFs among adults with IBD was assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: In our study population of 60,155 individuals, 786 (1.3%) had IBD. IBD was associated with increased odds hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-2.09), diabetes (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.22-2.32), hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.32-2.99) and insufficient physical activity (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.16-1.66). CONCLUSION: IBD is associated with higher prevalence of CRFs. Early screening and risk mitigation strategies are warranted.