Trends in Cardiovascular Disease-Related Mortality in Texas

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant mortality burden in the U.S.
• CVD mortality distribution is uneven across demographic and geographic subgroups.
• State-specific CVD mortality trends require further characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality trends in Texas compared to the United States.
• To analyze CVD mortality trends from 1999 to 2019.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Multiple Causes of Death Files from the National Center for Health Statistics.
• Calculation of crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 population.
• Application of Joinpoint regression to evaluate mortality rate trends.

Main Results:

• Between 1999-2019, over 29 million CVD deaths occurred in the U.S., with nearly 2 million in Texas.
• Texas experienced an initial decline in AAMR, followed by a plateau from 2009-2019.
• Overall AAMR was higher in Texas than the U.S. average, with elevated rates in men, non-Hispanic Black individuals, older adults, and nonmetropolitan areas.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular disease mortality rates have plateaued in Texas and the U.S. after an initial decline.
• Texas exhibits higher age-adjusted mortality rates for cardiovascular disease compared to the national average.
• Persistent disparities in cardiovascular disease mortality exist among various demographic and geographic populations.