Rising levels of cardiovascular mortality in Mississippi, 1979-1995

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Disease Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates are improving nationally but not for all demographic subgroups in the U.S.
• Certain African American populations experience disproportionately high CVD rates.
• Mississippi exhibits unique trends in CVD mortality requiring focused investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess current levels of cardiovascular disease mortality in Mississippi.
• To analyze trends in cardiovascular disease mortality within Mississippi from 1979 to 1995.
• To compare Mississippi's CVD mortality rates with national averages and other states.

Main Methods:

• Utilized mortality statistics from the U.S. vital statistics system (1979-1995).
• Calculated and compared age-adjusted CVD mortality rates.
• Compared Mississippi's rates to other states in 1995 and to national rates over the study period.

Main Results:

• Mississippi had the highest age-adjusted CVD mortality rates nationally in 1995 (37% higher than U.S. average).
• African American men and women in Mississippi had significantly higher CVD mortality rates (50% and 70% higher than white counterparts, respectively).
• CVD mortality rates increased for African Americans in Mississippi since 1984-85, while national rates decreased; white rates declined slower than the national average, resulting in an estimated 19,400 excess deaths.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular diseases represent a critical and escalating public health issue in Mississippi, especially for African American residents.
• The findings highlight a growing disparity in CVD burden within Mississippi.
• Identifying determinants and implementing solutions for Mississippi's CVD crisis is imperative.