Analysis of Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality Trends in the African American Population in the United States
Muhammad Umer Riaz Gondal1, Luke Rovenstine2, Fawwad Alam3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Tower Health, Reading Hospital, West Reading, PA, USA.
Insights
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality has decreased in African Americans, but significant disparities persist, especially for males and in the Southern region. Targeted health policies are crucial to address these ongoing health inequities.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
- Public Health Disparities
- Demographic Health Trends
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of death within the African American population.
- Understanding regional and demographic trends in AMI mortality is essential for effective health policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in AMI mortality from 1999 to 2020 among African Americans and the overall adult population.
- To identify demographic and regional disparities in AMI mortality within the African American community.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the CDC's WONDER death certificate database for comprehensive analysis.
- Calculated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) stratified by year, sex, race, and region.
- Employed Joinpoint regression to assess mortality trends and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs).
Main Results:
- Over 3 million AMI deaths occurred between 1999-2020; African Americans had the highest AAMR (71.5).
- AMI mortality significantly decreased in African Americans (AAPC: -5.29), with higher rates in males than females.
- The Southern region showed the highest AMI AAMR among African Americans.
Conclusions:
- Despite overall declines, significant AMI mortality disparities persist in the African American population.
- African American males and individuals in the Southern region face higher AMI mortality risks.
- Targeted health policies are needed to improve healthcare access and mitigate disparities for African Americans.
Background:
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a leading cause of mortality in the African American population, warranting an examination of regional and demographic trends to inform health policies.
Methods:
Utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER death certificate database, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of AMI mortality from 1999 to 2020 in African Americans and overall adults aged 25 and older. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 persons were calculated and stratified by year, sex, race, and geographic region. Joinpoint regression facilitated the assessment of mortality trends, revealing average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results:
Over the study period (1999 - 2020), there were 3,015,339 total deaths due to AMI in adults aged 25 and older. African Americans had the highest AAMR, at 71.5, followed by Whites, at 63.5, and the lowest among Asians, at 32.6. Overall, AAMR decreased in the African American population from 128.5 in 1999 to 48.5 in 2020, with an AAPC of -5.29 (95% CI: -5.69 to -4.9). AAMR decreased from 109 in 1999 to 37.6 in 2020 in African American females. African American males experienced a decline from 157.8 to 63.4 in AAMR. African American males had a higher overall AAMR (88.6) than females (59.3). Regionally, AAMR was highest in the South (77.6) and lowest in the Northeast (57.6) among African Americans.
Conclusions:
While AMI mortality has declined, persistent differences persist in the African American community. African American males experience a higher mortality rate as compared to females. Regional variations, notably the higher AAMR in the Southern region, emphasize the need for targeted health policies to mitigate disparities and enhance healthcare access. These measures may include expanding insurance coverage and improving access to healthcare, education, food, and employment for African Americans.
More Related Videos
18:11A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis
Published on: December 28, 2012
04:41Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
01:19Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
01:17Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...