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US Military Service and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Cardiovascular Disease: An Analysis of the 2011-2016 Behavioral

Lauren E Walker1, Eduard Poltavskiy1, Jud C Janak2

  • 1David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB, CA.

Ethnicity & Disease
|August 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Prior U.S. military service is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), but this association varies significantly by race/ethnicity. Non-Hispanic Black veterans had lower CVD odds, while non-Hispanic White veterans had the highest CVD odds.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding disparities in CVD prevalence among diverse populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
  • The impact of prior U.S. military service on CVD outcomes, particularly across racial and ethnic groups, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with and without prior U.S. military service.
  • To examine how CVD outcomes vary by race/ethnicity in relation to military service history.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study utilizing data from the 2011-2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
  • Comparison of CVD odds between individuals with and without prior U.S. military service (n=369,844 vs. n=2,491,784), overall and by race/ethnicity.
  • Logistic regression and rate-difference decomposition were employed to analyze CVD prevalence and identify contributing factors.

Main Results:

  • Prior military service was associated with increased odds of CVD (OR=1.34).
  • Among non-Hispanic Blacks, prior service was linked to lower CVD odds (OR=.69), mitigating overall differences.
  • Non-Hispanic White veterans exhibited the highest CVD odds, while Hispanic veterans had similar odds to non-Hispanic White non-veterans.

Conclusions:

  • Prior U.S. military service is associated with CVD, with significant variations observed across racial and ethnic groups.
  • Age, smoking, and body mass index were key contributors to CVD disparities by race/ethnicity.
  • Identifying modifiable health behaviors can inform targeted prevention strategies for CVD among veterans and diverse populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular DiseasesHealth BehaviorHealth Status DisparitiesMilitaryRace/EthnicityVeterans Health

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