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Aspirin use and cardiovascular events in social networks

Kate W Strully1, James H Fowler, Joanne M Murabito

  • 1Department of Sociology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222, USA. kstrully@albany.edu

Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|February 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Social networks influence cardiovascular health behaviors. Your friends' and family members' aspirin use and cardiovascular events can impact your own regular aspirin intake, suggesting health behaviors spread socially.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Social Epidemiology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Regular aspirin intake is recommended for cardiovascular disease prevention.
  • Understanding factors influencing adherence to preventive health behaviors is crucial.
  • Social networks play a significant role in shaping individual health choices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between friends' and family members' cardiovascular health events and aspirin use on an individual's regular aspirin intake.
  • To explore gender-specific patterns in social influence on aspirin use.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal data from 2724 Framingham Heart Study participants were analyzed.
  • Participants were linked to their friends and family members within the study cohort.
  • Statistical analyses examined correlations between social network members' health events/aspirin use and individual aspirin use.

Main Results:

  • Men were more likely to use aspirin if a male friend recently used aspirin.
  • Women were more likely to use aspirin if a brother recently used aspirin.
  • Men were more likely to use aspirin if a brother had a recent cardiovascular event; women were more likely if a female friend had a recent cardiovascular event.

Conclusions:

  • Individual aspirin use is correlated with the health status and behaviors of friends and family.
  • Cardiovascular health behaviors, including aspirin use, can spread through social networks.
  • Findings support the concept of social contagion in promoting cardiovascular health.

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