Cardiovascular risk factors among women in Mississippi in the 1990s

To identify the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among Mississippi women from 1991 to 1999, using data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and to examine the probability that certain risk factors would occur in certain groups of African American and white women in Mississippi.

We extracted self-reported data on 9690 women in Mississippi from the BRFSS for 1991 to 1999. We performed logistic regression analyses to examine the independent effects of age and race as relative risks for cardiovascular disease, controlling for socioeconomic status.

Odds ratios for cigarette smoking for some African American women, for high blood pressure for some white women, and for diabetes in some white and African American women were significantly elevated. Prevalence data, however, showed that African American women had a higher prevalence of diabetes and overweight than white women did.

The prevalence of overweight among Mississippi women seemed to increase as they aged. Decreasing obesity should be a major public health priority, as obesity's association with several chronic diseases is well documented and it is very prevalent among Mississippi women. Implementing programs to address unhealthy behaviors is essential for maintaining good health and thus should be strongly encouraged.