ISLAMABAD: A research study highlights the association between unemployment, lack of education beyond high school, inadequate sleep, and increased heart disease risk, particularly among Asian American populations, including Asian Indian adults.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study revealed that the correlation between these socio-economic factors and cardiovascular disease risk factors varies significantly among different subgroups.
While the study establishes an association, it does not imply causation between social determinants of health and cardiovascular risk factors.
Based on data from 6,395 Asian adults, including a significant proportion of Asian Indian adults, the findings indicate a notable likelihood of suboptimal sleep and insufficient physical activity among Asian Indian adults, contributing to a higher risk of heart disease.
Furthermore, the analysis suggests that a higher score on unfavorable social determinants of health is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, poor sleep, and Type 2 diabetes across all Asian groups. These factors collectively elevate the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Lead author Professor Eugene Yang of the University of Washington School of Medicine emphasizes the interconnected nature of various social determinants of health and underscores the importance of understanding disparities among Asian subgroups to mitigate cardiovascular risk and improve outcomes, particularly among populations of South Asian heritage, who exhibit elevated rates of premature heart disease.
