TY - JOUR
T1 - Geographic variation in hypertension prevalence among blacks and whites
T2 - The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis
AU - Kershaw, Kiarri N.
AU - Diez Roux, Ana V.
AU - Carnethon, Mercedes
AU - Darwin, Christine
AU - Goff, David C.
AU - Post, Wendy
AU - Schreiner, Pamela J.
AU - Watson, Karol
PY - 2010/1
Y1 - 2010/1
N2 - Background Many studies have examined differences in hypertension across race/ethnic groups but few have evaluated differences within groups. Methods We investigated within-group geographic variations in hypertension prevalence among 3,322 black and white participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Place of birth and place of residence were included in multivariate Poisson regression analyses. Results Blacks born in southern states were 1.11 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.23) times more likely to be hypertensive than non-southern states after adjusting for age and sex. Findings were similar, though not statistically significant, for whites (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.15, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.35). Blacks and whites living in Forsyth (blacks, PR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.42; whites, PR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.09, 1.60) and Baltimore (blacks, PR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.31; whites, PR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.47) were also significantly more likely to be hypertensive than those living in Chicago after adjusting for age and sex. Among blacks, those living in New York were also significantly more likely to be hypertensive. Geographic heterogeneity was partially explained by socioeconomic indicators, neighborhood characteristics or hypertension risk factors. There was also evidence of substantial heterogeneity in black-white differences depending on which geographic groups were compared (ranging from 82 to 13% higher prevalence in blacks compared with whites). Conclusions A better understanding of geographic heterogeneity may inform interventions to reduce racial/ethnic disparities.
AB - Background Many studies have examined differences in hypertension across race/ethnic groups but few have evaluated differences within groups. Methods We investigated within-group geographic variations in hypertension prevalence among 3,322 black and white participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Place of birth and place of residence were included in multivariate Poisson regression analyses. Results Blacks born in southern states were 1.11 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.23) times more likely to be hypertensive than non-southern states after adjusting for age and sex. Findings were similar, though not statistically significant, for whites (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.15, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.35). Blacks and whites living in Forsyth (blacks, PR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.42; whites, PR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.09, 1.60) and Baltimore (blacks, PR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.31; whites, PR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.47) were also significantly more likely to be hypertensive than those living in Chicago after adjusting for age and sex. Among blacks, those living in New York were also significantly more likely to be hypertensive. Geographic heterogeneity was partially explained by socioeconomic indicators, neighborhood characteristics or hypertension risk factors. There was also evidence of substantial heterogeneity in black-white differences depending on which geographic groups were compared (ranging from 82 to 13% higher prevalence in blacks compared with whites). Conclusions A better understanding of geographic heterogeneity may inform interventions to reduce racial/ethnic disparities.
KW - Blood pressure
KW - Disparity
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Geography
KW - Hypertension
KW - Neighborhoods
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U2 - 10.1038/ajh.2009.211
DO - 10.1038/ajh.2009.211
M3 - Article
C2 - 19910930
AN - SCOPUS:72449207033
SN - 0895-7061
VL - 23
SP - 46
EP - 53
JO - American journal of hypertension
JF - American journal of hypertension
IS - 1
ER -