Regional differences in cardiovascular mortality in Minnesota

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Initial results from our health survey in the Red River Valley of Minnesota suggested elevated cardiovascular mortality in men and women in younger age groups there compared with the rest of the state. Similarly, earlier published longitudinal studies of cardiovascular mortality in Minnesota revealed increased cardiovascular mortality in counties west of a diagonal line drawn through the tip of the arrowhead region (northeast Minnesota) to the southwest corner of the state. In this study we examined cardiovascular mortality by geographic region with respect to economic factors, residence patterns, and ethnic group. Since these regions vary in geology and major land use, environmental factors were considered as well. Our present data show a significant elevation in cardiovascular mortality from 1987-1997 in men and women aged 25-59 in northwest and northeast Minnesota counties compared with central-metro counties. In contrast, south-central Minnesota shows a rate of cardiovascular mortality for that age group similar to that seen in the central-metro region. The increase in cardiovascular deaths from myocardial infarct in the younger groups in the more rural, less affluent areas of northwest Minnesota is nearly two times higher than in the central-metro counties. Genetic factors may play a role in the increased mortality recorded for northeast Minnesota. Environmental contaminants such as pesticides are additional considerations. Finally, our data suggest the need to address long-standing regional cardiovascular mortality differences and rural health care access in Minnesota.