Disparities in multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases - Delaware, 2011

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of multiple risk factors for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) and to identify disparities in risk status among population subgroups in Delaware. As a secondary analysis the study will also analyze self-reported CVD prevalence overall and discuss differences in prevalence by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, employment status, and county of residence.

Analysis was conducted using Delaware data for 4,777 respondents from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Survey participants having greater than or equal to two of the following risk factors: obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, current smoking, and diabetes mellitus were considered as having multiple risk factors for CVD.

In 2011, the prevalence of CVD in Delaware was 8.61 percent (95 percent Confidence Interval [CI, 7.55, 9.66]). Overall, 22.51 percent (95 percent CI, 20.62-24.40) of persons reported having no risk factors, 32.30 percent (95 percent CI, 30.31-34.28) reported one risk factor, and 45.20 percent (95 percent CI, 43.18-47.21) reported multiple risk factors. Prevalence of multiple risk factors was higher for the aged, less educated, and unemployed. Disparities by gender and race were not significant. Sussex County had a higher prevalence of CVD multiple risk factors, 53.18 percent (95 percent CI, 49.47-56.89) followed by Kent County, 49.75 percent (95 percent CI, 45.92-53.58).

One of the priority goals of Healthy People 2020 is to improve cardiovascular health and quality of life through prevention, detection, and treatment of risk factors for heart attack and stroke and also prevention of repeat cardiovascular events. This study indicates that in 2011 a higher proportion of the Delaware population had multiple risk factors for heart disease and stroke, particularly certain population subgroups defined by socioeconomic status. Development of effective prevention programs targeting populations with greater risk factor prevalence should reduce CVD incidence, which will significantly contribute to the decline in both CVD prevalence and CVD mortality. Understanding the determinants for modifiable risk factors might facilitate their control for public health.