Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Health Equity

Background:

• Social determinants of health (SDoH) significantly influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, morbidity, and mortality.
• Health inequities driven by SDoH have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements.
• The impact of SDoH on cardiovascular health remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanisms connecting SDoH and CVD.
• To foster interdisciplinary research and intervention development.
• To provide an evidence-based framework for SDoH-CVD relationships.

Main Methods:

• Review of landmark studies and recent findings on SDoH and CVD.
• Examination of structural/socioeconomic, environmental, and psychosocial factors.
• Exploration of biologic mechanisms linking SDoH to CVD pathogenesis.

Main Results:

• SDoH are strongly associated with CVD.
• Biologic mechanisms include stress hormones, inflammation, immune function, and cellular aging.
• A framework highlighting critical SDoH factors and their impact on CVD is presented.

Conclusions:

• An evidence-based framework for SDoH-CVD relationships is established.
• Multilevel, community-engaged interventions are needed to promote cardiovascular health.
• Future research should focus on individual, clinical, and policy approaches.