Cardiovascular Diseases in African Americans: Fostering Community Partnerships to Stem the Tide

Trends in Rheumatic Heart Disease-Related Mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020

There is a lack of mortality data on rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the United States (US). In light of this, a retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the temporal, sex-based, racial, and regional trends in RHD-related mortality in the US, ranging from 1999 to 2020. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC-WONDER) dataset was analyzed, where crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were identified, along with annual percentage changes (APCs) determined by Joinpoint regression. Through the period of 1999 to 2020, there were 141,137 RHD-related deaths reported, with a marginal decline from 4.05/100,000 in 1999 to 3.12/100,000 in 2020. However, the recent rise in AAMR from 2017 to 2020 has created a source of concern (APC: 6.62 [95% CI, 3.19-8.72]). Similar trends were observed in the Black or African American race from 2017 to 2020 (APC: 10.58 [95% CI, 6.29-17.80]). Moreover, the highest percentage change from 2018 to 2020 was observed in residents of large metropolitan areas (APC: 7.6 [95% CI, 2.8-10.5]). A prominent disparity was observed among states, with values ranging from 1.74/100,000 in Louisiana to 5.27/100,000 in Vermont. States within the top 90th percentile of RHD-related deaths included Alaska, Minnesota, Washington, Wyoming, and Vermont. In conclusion, it is imperative to delve deeper into the evidently rising trends of RHD-related mortality and outline the possible sources of social determinants within US healthcare in order to provide equal and quality medical care throughout the nation.

Association of white matter hyperintensities and clinical vascular burden with depressive symptoms in Black older adults

OBJECTIVES

Black older adults have a higher vascular burden compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) older adults, which may put them at risk for a form of depression known as vascular depression (VaDep). The literature examining VaDep in Black older adults is sparse. The current study addressed this important gap by examining whether vascular burden was associated with depressive symptoms in Black older adults.

METHODS

Participants included 113 Black older adults from the Healthy Brain Project, a substudy of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. In multiple regression analyses, clinical vascular burden (sum of vascular conditions) and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume predicted depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, controlling for demographic variables. Follow-up analyses compared the associations in the Black subsample and in 179 NHW older adults.

RESULTS

Higher total WMH volume, but not clinically-defined vascular burden, predicted higher concurrent depressive symptoms and higher average depressive symptoms over 4 years. Similar associations were found between uncinate fasciculus (UF) WMHs and concurrent depressive symptoms and between superior longitudinal fasciculus WMHs and average depressive symptoms. The association between depressive symptoms and UF WMH was stronger in Black compared to NHW individuals.

CONCLUSION

This research is consistent with the VaDep hypothesis and extends it to Black older adults, a group that has historically been underrepresented in the literature. Results highlight WMH in the UF as particularly relevant to depressive symptoms in Black older adults and suggest this group may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of WMH.

Genetic Predictors of Ibrutinib-related Cardiovascular Side Effects in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

PURPOSE

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treated with ibrutinib are at risk of developing cardiovascular side effects (CVSE). The molecular determinants of CVSEs have not been fully elucidated. We interrogated genetic polymorphisms in the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) signaling pathway for their association with ibrutinib-related CVSEs.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective/prospective observational pharmacogenetic study of 50 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed CLL who received ibrutinib at a starting daily dose of 420 mg for at least 6 months. CVSEs, primarily atrial fibrillation and hypertension, occurred in 10 patients (20%), of whom 4 discontinued therapy. DNA was isolated from buccal swabs of all 50 patients and genotyped for 40 SNPs in GATA4, SGK1, KCNQ1, KCNA4, NPPA, and SCN5A using a customized next-generation sequencing panel. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to determine genetic and clinical factors associated with the incidence of ibrutinib-related CVSEs.

RESULTS

GATA4 rs804280 AA (P = 0.043), KCNQ1 rs163182 GG (P = 0.036), and KCNQ1 rs2237895 AA (P = 0.023) genotypes were univariately associated with ibrutinib-related CVSEs. On the basis of multivariate analysis, a high genetic risk score, defined as the presence of at least two of these genotypes, was associated with 11.5-fold increased odds of CVSEs (P = 0.019; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-119.73).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest possible genetic determinants of ibrutinib-related CVSEs in CLL. If replicated in a larger study, pretreatment pharmacogenetic testing for GATA4 and KCNQ1 polymorphisms may be a useful clinical tool for personalizing treatment selection for CLL and/or instituting early risk mitigation strategies.

Plasma metabolomics profiles in Black and White participants of the Adventist Health Study-2 cohort

BACKGROUND

Black Americans suffer disparities in risk for cardiometabolic and other chronic diseases. Findings from the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) cohort have shown associations of plant-based dietary patterns and healthy lifestyle factors with prevention of such diseases. Hence, it is likely that racial differences in metabolic profiles correlating with disparities in chronic diseases are explained largely by diet and lifestyle, besides social determinants of health.

METHODS

Untargeted plasma metabolomics screening was performed on plasma samples from 350 participants of the AHS-2, including 171 Black and 179 White participants, using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and a global platform of 892 metabolites. Differences in metabolites or biochemical subclasses by race were analyzed using linear regression, considering various models adjusted for known confounders, dietary and/or other lifestyle behaviors, social vulnerability, and psychosocial stress. The Storey permutation approach was used to adjust for false discovery at FDR < 0.05.

RESULTS

Linear regression revealed differential abundance of over 40% of individual metabolites or biochemical subclasses when comparing Black with White participants after adjustment for false discovery (FDR < 0.05), with the vast majority showing lower abundance in Blacks. Associations were not appreciably altered with adjustment for dietary patterns and socioeconomic or psychosocial stress. Metabolite subclasses showing consistently lower abundance in Black participants included various lipids, such as lysophospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamines, monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, and long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids, among other subclasses or lipid categories. Among all biochemical subclasses, creatine metabolism exclusively showed higher abundance in Black participants, although among metabolites within this subclass, only creatine showed differential abundance after adjustment for glomerular filtration rate. Notable metabolites in higher abundance in Black participants included methyl and propyl paraben sulfates, piperine metabolites, and a considerable proportion of acetylated amino acids, including many previously found associated with glomerular filtration rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in metabolic profiles were evident when comparing Black and White participants of the AHS-2 cohort. These differences are likely attributed in part to dietary behaviors not adequately explained by dietary pattern covariates, besides other environmental or genetic factors. Alterations in these metabolites and associated subclasses may have implications for the prevention of chronic diseases in Black Americans.

COVID-19: An opportunity to engage African Americans and women in research on cardiovascular disease

INTRODUCTION

African Americans (AA) have been disproportionately affected with the COVID-19 disease experiencing 30%-60% of the deaths, while only making up 13% of the US population. Early data suggest that pregnant women and those with cardiovascular disease (CVD) may experience worse outcomes with severe coronavirus infection. There is an urgent need to incorporate AA and female perspectives into the design of research on the CVD complications related to COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this project was to incorporate perspectives of AA and female patients in developing research priorities and AN agenda related to COVID-19. Objectives included: (a) develop a strong, research-ready partnership capable of executing PCOR, (b) creation of a research agenda and a set of priorities on racial/sex-specific CVD disparities in COVID-19 which reflects the perspectives of AA's and women; (c) long-term objective is creation of a set of research questions suitable for clinical research using the AHA Registry.

METHODS

The project used principles of active and adult learning within the framework of capacity building to build a strong, patient-centered vision of research needs. Different methods of obtaining patient input were used to identify questions suitable for research using the America Heart Association COVID-19 CVD Quality Improvement Registry: focus groups and town halls to identify concerns and interests vis-à-vis CVD and COVID research; narrative medicine methods collected compelling real-life, COVID-19 health stories; a research advisory council reviewed and prioritized research questions.

RESULTS

Outcomes include a replicable method of obtaining patient-oriented input into the creation of a research agenda and a set of research priorities for COVID-19. Outputs include the establishment of a research advisory council and stakeholder training using the PCORI funded, PORTAL program resources; a catalogue of patient generated narratives on COVID-19 experiences in the voice of AAs and women, and a set of research questions suitable for research using the AHA Registry.

CONCLUSION

The project created a research ready stakeholder network, ready to develop a research agenda about COVID-19.

Differences in Perceptual and Attitudinal Body Image Between White and African-American Adults Matched for Sex, Age, and Body Composition

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in perceptual and attitudinal body image between White and African-American males and females matched for sex, age, BMI, and other body composition components using a combination of 3-dimensional mobile digital imaging analysis (DIA) and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale (MBSRQ-AS).

METHODS

One-hundred non-Hispanic White (n=50) and non-Hispanic African-American (n=50) adults (M=34, F=66) matched for sex, age, BMI, and body composition components completed this cross-sectional study. Participants underwent several anthropometric assessments, completed the MBSRQ-AS, and rated their perceived appearance, ideal appearance, and the appearance they believed a partner would find societally attractive using a state of the art mobile 3-dimensional DIA produced using broad developmental populations. Body image distortion was measured as the perceived minus actual appearance, and body image dissatisfaction was defined as the ideal appearance and appearance a partner would find attractive minus the perceived appearance.

RESULTS

Using the DIA, only African-American females demonstrated significant body image distortion (p<0.001); reporting perceived appearances significantly lower their than their actual. Further, AA females demonstrated significantly larger differences between their ideal and perceived appearance (p=0.009), perceived larger bodies as more attractive to a potential partner (p=0.009), and reported higher ratings of appearance evaluation (p=0.001) and body area satisfaction (p=0.011) compared to White females.

CONCLUSIONS

After accounting for all anthropometric determinants of body image, perceptual and attitudinal body image differs between White and African-American adults with differences supporting larger body size acceptance for African-American individuals, particularly African-American females.

Racial Disparity in Anthracycline-induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer in the US and worldwide. While advances in early detection and treatment have resulted in a 40% reduction in breast cancer mortality, this reduction has not been achieved uniformly among racial groups. A large percentage of non-metastatic breast cancer mortality is related to the cardiovascular effects of breast cancer therapies. These effects appear to be more prevalent among patients from historically marginalized racial/ethnic backgrounds, such as African American and Hispanic individuals. Anthracyclines, particularly doxorubicin and daunorubicin, are the first-line treatments for breast cancer patients. However, their use is limited by their dose-dependent and cumulative cardiotoxicity, manifested by cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, hypertension, thromboembolic disorders, and heart failure. Cardiotoxicity risk factors, such as genetic predisposition and preexisting obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases, are more prevalent in racial/ethnic minorities and undoubtedly contribute to the risk. Yet, beyond these risk factors, racial/ethnic minorities also face unique challenges that contribute to disparities in the emerging field of cardio-oncology, including socioeconomic factors, food insecurity, and the inability to access healthcare providers, among others. The current review will address genetic, clinical, and social determinants that potentially contribute to this disparity.

Cardiovascular Disease Burden and Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Young Black Patients: A National Analysis of 2 Cohorts 10 Years Apart (2017 Versus 2007)

Background We aim to compare the burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors and major adverse cardiac events and in-hospital outcomes among young Black patients (aged 18-44 years) hospitalized in 2007 and 2017 using data obtained from the National Inpatient Sample database. Method and Results Comparison of the sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and inpatient outcomes, including major adverse cardiac events (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation/flutter, pulmonary embolism, and coronary intervention), between 2017 and 2007 was performed. Multivariable analyses were performed, controlling for potential covariates. A total of 2 922 743 (mean age, 31 years; 70.3% women) admissions among young Black individuals were studied (1 341 068 in 2007 and 1 581 675 in 2017). The 2017 cohort had a younger population (mean, 30 versus 31 years; P<0.001), more male patients (30.4% versus 28.8%; P<0.001), and patients with higher nonelective admissions (76.8% versus 75%; P<0.001), and showed an increasing burden of traditional cardiometabolic comorbidities, congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, coagulopathy, depression, along with notable reductions in alcohol abuse and drug abuse, compared with the 2007 cohort. The adjusted multivariable analysis showed worsening in-hospital outcomes, including major adverse cardiac events (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.21), acute myocardial infarction (aOR, 1.34), cardiogenic shock (aOR, 3.12), atrial fibrillation/flutter (aOR, 1.34), ventricular fibrillation/flutter (aOR, 1.32), cardiac arrest (aOR, 2.55), pulmonary embolism (aOR, 1.89), and stroke (aOR, 1.53). The 2017 cohort showed a decreased rate of percutaneous coronary intervention/coronary artery bypass grafting and all-cause mortality versus the 2007 cohort (P<0.001). Conclusions In conclusion, young Black patients have had an increasing burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors and worsened in-hospital outcomes, including major adverse cardiac events and stroke, in the past decade, although with improved survival odds.

Plasma apolipoprotein E levels, isoform composition, and dimer profile in relation to plasma lipids in racially diverse patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND

The APOEε4-promoted risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is lower in Black/African-Americans (B/AAs), compared to non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). Previous studies reported lower plasma apolipoprotein E (apoE) levels in NHW APOEε4-carriers compared to non-carriers, and low plasma apoE levels were directly associated with an increased risk of AD and all dementia. We further showed that APOEε3/ε3 AD patients exhibited reduced plasma apoE dimers compared to corresponding control subjects. Whether plasma apoE levels and apoE dimer formation differ between races/ethnicities and therefore may help explain AD risk racial disparity remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

Using mass spectrometry, we determined total plasma apoE and apoE isoform levels in a cohort of B/AAs (n = 58) and NHWs (n = 67) including subjects with normal cognition (B/AA: n = 25, NHW: n = 28), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (B/AA: n = 24, NHW: n = 24), or AD dementia (B/AA: n = 9, NHW: n = 15). Additionally, we used non-reducing western blot analysis to assess the distribution of plasma apoE into monomers/disulfide-linked dimers. Plasma total apoE, apoE isoform levels, and % apoE monomers/dimers were assessed for correlations with cognition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers, sTREM2, neurofilament light protein (NfL), and plasma lipids.

RESULTS

Plasma apoE was predominantly monomeric in both racial groups and the monomer/dimer distribution was not affected by disease status, or correlated with CSF AD biomarkers, but associated with plasma lipids. Plasma total apoE levels were not related to disease status and only in the NHW subjects we observed lower plasma apoE levels in the APOEε4/ε4-carriers. Total plasma apoE levels were 13% higher in B/AA compared to NHW APOEε4/ε4 subjects and associated with plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in NHW subjects but with low-density lipoprotein levels (LDL) in the B/AA subjects. Higher plasma apoE4 levels, exclusively in APOEε3/ε4 B/AA subjects, were linked to higher plasma total cholesterol and LDL levels. In the controls, NHWs and B/AAs exhibited opposite associations between plasma apoE and CSF t-tau.

CONCLUSIONS

The previously reported lower APOEε4-promoted risk of AD in B/AA subjects may be associated with differences in plasma apoE levels and lipoprotein association. Whether differences in plasma apoE levels between races/ethnicities result from altered APOEε4 expression or turnover, needs further elucidation.

Review of Cardiovascular Risk of Androgen Deprivation Therapy and the Influence of Race in Men with Prostate Cancer

Androgen deprivation therapy is the cornerstone of prostate cancer therapy. Recent studies have revealed an association between androgen deprivation therapy and cardiovascular adverse effects such as myocardial infarction and stroke. This review summarizes the available research on the cardiovascular risk of men using androgen deprivation therapy. We also discuss racial disparities surrounding both prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease, emphasizing the importance of biological/molecular and socioeconomic factors in assessing baseline risk in patients beginning androgen ablation. Based on the literature, we provide recommendations for monitoring patients who are at high risk for a cardiovascular adverse event while being treated on androgen deprivation therapy. This review aims to present the current research on androgen deprivation therapy and cardiovascular toxicity with an emphasis on racial disparities and provides a framework for clinicians to decrease the cardiovascular morbidity in men that are being treated with hormone therapy.

Rising trend of acute myocardial infarction among young cannabis users: A 10-year nationwide gender and race stratified analysis

Background

The use of cannabis has massively increased among younger patients due to increasing legalization and availability.

Methods

We performed a retrospective nationwide study using the Nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) database to analyze the trends of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young cannabis users and related outcomes among patients aged 18-49 years from 2007 to 2018, using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes.

Results

Out of 819,175 hospitalizations, 230,497 (28%) admissions reported using cannabis. There was a significantly higher number of males (78.08% vs. 71.58%, p < 0.0001) and African Americans (32.22% vs. 14.06%, p < 0.0001) admitted with AMI and reported cannabis use. The incidence of AMI among cannabis users consistently increased from 2.36% in 2007 to 6.55% in 2018. Similarly, the risk of AMI in cannabis users among all races increased, with the biggest increase in African Americans from 5.69% to 12.25%. In addition, the rate of AMI in cannabis users among both sexes showed an upward trend, from 2.63% to 7.17% in males and 1.62%-5.12% in females.

Conclusion

The incidence of AMI in young cannabis users has increased in recent years. The risk is higher among males and African Americans.

Disparities in health and healthcare: Impact of race on resource utilization and costs following transcatheter edge-to-edge repair

BACKGROUND

This study sought to investigate health and healthcare disparities in the management of severe mitral regurgitation with transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using MitraClip and how racial differences impact resource utilization and costs.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) for patients who underwent Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) using MitraClip between 2016 and 2018. The patients were stratified into four racial cohorts and study outcomes included high resource utilization (HRU), periprocedural complications, and total procedural costs. High resource utilization (HRU) was defined as length of stay (LOS) ≥7 days or a nonhome disposition at discharge. Multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to determine independent predictors of HRU.

RESULTS

17,100 weighted TEER patients were segregated by race: Caucasian (n = 13,270), others (n = 1510), African Americans, AA (n = 1245) and Hispanics (n = 1075). More African Americans and Hispanics had TEER at Urban facilities (P < 0.001), which were teaching hospitals as well (P < 0.001) but were less likely to be covered by public insurance options -Medicare or Medicaid (P < 0.001). More AA (52.2 %) and Hispanics (27.6 %) were likely to be in the lowest median annual income quartile versus Caucasians (19.2 %) (P = 0.003). AA and Hispanics had higher resource utilization (HRU), prolonged length of stay, nonhome disposition at discharge, higher procedural costs and periprocedural complications versus Caucasians. The logistic regression model revealed acute kidney injury (AKI) and actual procedural costs as independent predictors of HRU in both African American and Hispanic groups.

CONCLUSION

Significant Health and healthcare disparities do exist among underrepresented, racial minority patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in the US. These disparities were associated with higher resource utilization and actual costs in patients with mitral regurgitation treated with TEER.

Examining motivation factors for African American students' use of consumer wearables

Purpose

This study was initiated to examine factors that motivate African American students who use wearable devices at an HBCU in Mississippi.

Method

We conducted a correlational research study on undergraduate and graduate students from a southern USA university. The stratified random sample comprised a total of 239 students. The responses of the students were analyzed using the Fisher exact test to determine whether or not there was a significant association between the categorical demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, and student classification) and the students' motivation for using a wearable device.

Results

Students used wearables for one main reason, to help them increase their awareness of their health status because they understand the importance of tracking their health metrics to boost their health status and reduce risk factors for developing chronic diseases. Students also demonstrated that they understand the value of tracking health information, such as heart rate and blood pressure, as a way to reduce the prevalence and impact of risk factors that can lead to chronic diseases.

Conclusions

Wearables enable individuals to regularly observe, measure, and record their physical status and physiological measures, and facilitate medication adherence by enabling individuals to maintain their prescribed medication regimen adequately. The data collected and stored through these wearables can provide data that will be useful for medical personnel in their treatment of patients and in developing strategies for prevention and intervention for the larger community.

The Role of Social Support in Cardiovascular Clinical Trial Participation among Black Men: Black Impact

BACKGROUND

Attainment of the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; yet, Black Americans have the lowest LS7 attainment among all communities, the highest rate of CVD mortality, and low clinical trial participation. Social support is positively correlated with chronic disease self-management. Here, we describe the role of social support in a single-arm pilot clinical trial of a community-based lifestyle intervention among Black American men.

METHODS

The 24-week intervention featured weekly team-based physical activity and LS7-themed education. Seventy-four Black men participated in the intervention; twenty agreed to participate in exit surveys via one of three semi-structured focus groups. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis framed by House's social support framework.

RESULTS

Participants reported support from both peers and health coaches. The sub-themes of social support among peers were: (1) acknowledgement, understanding, and validation, (2) inspiration, (3) sense of community, (4) fear of disappointing fellow participants, and (5) group synergy. The sub-themes of social support from the health coaches and study team staff included: (1) contemplation of current health status, (2) racial concordance of health coaches and study team staff, (3) investment of the research team, (4) incentives, (5) access to healthcare providers, and (6) the COVID-19 pandemic. Emotional support was the most frequently discussed theme.

CONCLUSIONS

Social support, especially emotional support, from peers and health coaches was a driver of clinical trial participation among participants. The intervention created a positive social environment and decreased medical mistrust. This intervention may provide a framework by which to facilitate clinical trial participation among Black men.

Evaluating Levels of Community Participation in a University-Community Partnership: The Jackson Heart Study

Objective: This research was designed to evaluate the perceptions of the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) community relating to their levels of involvement in JHS activities that were developed to address health disparities and promote health education and health promotion. Methods: The participants for this study comprised 128 community members, who included JHS participants, as well as family members and other friends of the JHS who resided in the JHS community of Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties in Mississippi and attended the JHS Annual Celebration of Life. We used the Chi-Square test to analyze the participants’ responses to the survey questions developed to address the six areas of focus: (1) ways to increase participation in community outreach activities; (2) reasons for participating in community outreach activities; (3) interest in research participation; (4) factors influencing engagement; (5) Participants’ preferences for communicating; (6) Chronic disease prevalence. Results: Participants residing in rural counties perceived television and radio as a medium to increase participation; More female respondents cited trust working with the JSU JHS Community Outreach Center (CORC) as a reason for remaining engaged in the community outreach activities; younger participants under 66 years of age recommended social media as a way to increase participation; participants residing in the rural areas saw their participation in the community outreach activities as a way to address community health problems. Conclusions: The knowledge gained from the details provided by the JHS community members can be used to refine research studies in existence, while promoting their sustainability.

Disparities in the Use of Cardiac Rehabilitation in African Americans

Purpose of review

Recent findings

Summary

Risk factors for incident cardiovascular events among adults in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

The relative contributions of risk factors for cardiovascular events at a population level has received little attention in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF) of risk factors associated with incident cardiovascular events in LMICs. We searched six databases for relevant articles, supplemented with a manual search of reference lists. Articles included in the meta-analyses were those based on prospective community-based cohorts and incorporating adjusted hazard ratios (HR) or relative risks with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for associations between risk factors and a composite cardiovascular and/or stroke endpoint. Pooled HRs and 95% CI were calculated using the random effects model. We assessed heterogeneity using the I² test and study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We calculated the PAF of each associated risk factor. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019122741). We identified 18 cohorts from LMICs with 1,125,846 participants, 77,045 composite cardiovascular events and 42,216 strokes. Substantial proportions of incident cardiovascular events were attributable to hypertension (HR [95% CI], 2.23 [2.01-2.48], PAF = 28%); current smoking (1.44 [1.31-1.58], PAF = 10%); and diabetes mellitus (1.93 [1.67-2.23], PAF = 8%). Other risk factors identified included number of children, depression, bone mineral density, and air pollution. A substantial proportion of incident cardiovascular events were linked to traditional metabolic and behavioural modifiable risk factors. However, other novel risk factors also appear to contribute. Targeting of these established and novel risk factors has the potential to reduce the burden of CVD in LMICs.

Vascular depression in Black Americans: A systematic review of the construct and its cognitive, functional, and psychosocial correlates

Objective: Vascular burden is associated with cognitive deficits and a form of late-life depression, vascular depression (VaDep), which is marked by decreased white matter integrity, executive dysfunction, poor treatment response, and functional disability. Older Black Americans represent a vulnerable population at risk of developing VaDep, but the literature in this group is limited. Thus, the goal of this systematic review is to summarize the existing literature that informs our understanding of VaDep in older Black Americans, including cognitive, functional, and psychosocial outcomes. Method: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, studies were identified that examined the relationship between vascular disease or vascular risk factors and that either had a sample of at least 75% Black participants or conducted race-specific analyses. Thirty studies met all inclusion criterion based on review of both authors. Results: Overall, studies support the construct of VaDep in older Black Americans. There is preliminary support for VaDep-related cognitive and functional deficits, and mixed findings regarding racial disparities in prevalence of VaDep. Conclusion: This review underscores the need for further neuroimaging and neuropsychological research in Black older adults with comorbid depression and vascular disease. Findings also highlight the importance of screening for depressive symptoms in Black individuals with multiple vascular risk factors.

An Open-Source Privacy-Preserving Large-Scale Mobile Framework for Cardiovascular Health Monitoring and Intervention Planning With an Urban African American Population of Young Adults: User-Centered Design Approach

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide and are increasingly affecting younger populations, particularly African Americans in the southern United States. Access to preventive and therapeutic services, biological factors, and social determinants of health (ie, structural racism, resource limitation, residential segregation, and discriminatory practices) all combine to exacerbate health inequities and their resultant disparities in morbidity and mortality. These factors manifest early in life and have been shown to impact health trajectories into adulthood. Early detection of and intervention in emerging risk offers the best hope for preventing race-based differences in adult diseases. However, young-adult populations are notoriously difficult to recruit and retain, often because of a lack of knowledge of personal risk and a low level of concern for long-term health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop a system design for the MOYO mobile platform. Further, we seek to addresses the challenge of primordial prevention in a young, at-risk population (ie, Southern-urban African Americans).

METHODS

Urban African Americans, aged 18 to 29 years (n=505), participated in a series of co-design sessions to develop MOYO prototypes (ie, HealthTech Events). During the sessions, participants were orientated to the issues of CVD risk health disparities and then tasked with wireframing prototype screens depicting app features that they considered desirable. All 297 prototype screens were subsequently analyzed using NVivo 12 (QSR International), a qualitative analysis software. Using the grounded theory approach, an open-coding method was applied to a subset of data, approximately 20% (5/25), or 5 complete prototypes, to identify the dominant themes among the prototypes. To ensure intercoder reliability, 2 research team members analyzed the same subset of data.

RESULTS

Overall, 9 dominant design requirements emerged from the qualitative analysis: customization, incentive motivation, social engagement, awareness, education, or recommendations, behavior tracking, location services, access to health professionals, data user agreements, and health assessment. This led to the development of a cross-platform app through an agile design process to collect standardized health surveys, narratives, geolocated pollution, weather, food desert exposure data, physical activity, social networks, and physiology through point-of-care devices. A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant cloud infrastructure was developed to collect, process, and review data, as well as generate alerts to allow automated signal processing and machine learning on the data to produce critical alerts. Integration with wearables and electronic health records via fast health care interoperability resources was implemented.

CONCLUSIONS

The MOYO mobile platform provides a comprehensive health and exposure monitoring system that allows for a broad range of compliance, from passive background monitoring to active self-reporting. These study findings support the notion that African Americans should be meaningfully involved in designing technologies that are developed to improve CVD outcomes in African American communities.

Ethnic differences in ApoC-III concentration and the risk of cardiovascular disease: No evidence for the cardioprotective role of rare/loss of function APOC3 variants in non-Europeans

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia is as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III) is known to regulate triglyceride (TG) metabolism. However, the causal association between ApoC-III and CVD development is unclear. The objectives were to examine the impact of ApoC-III concentration on TG and lipoproteins and investigate the role of known rare loss-of-function APOC3 variants for modulating ApoC-III, TG concentrations and CVD risk in different ethnic groups.

METHODS

Plasma ApoC-III levels were measured in a multiethnic sample of 518 individuals comprising 271 Asian Indians (Sikhs), 87 Caucasians, 80 African Americans, and 80 Hispanics.

RESULTS

ApoC-III levels showed a robust association with TG in Asian Indians (r = 0.5, p = 1.1 × 10^-23), Caucasians (r = 0.4, p = 7.2 × 10^-4), and Hispanics (r = 0.9, p = 2.7x × 10^-28). African Americans had lowest ApoC-III and TG concentrations and highest (44%) prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). ApoC-III levels correlated with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.25, p = 6.1 × 10^-5) in Asian Indians and central adiposity in Hispanics (waist: r = 0.22, p = 0.05; waist-hip ratio: r = 0.24, p = 0.04). The carriers of rare variants IVS1-2G-A (rs373975305); A43T (rs147210663) and IVS3 + 1G-T (rs140621530) showed high TG but not low ApoC-III levels in Asian Indians and Caucasians.

CONCLUSION

These results highlight the challenges of generalizing antisense ApoC-III inhibition for treating atherosclerotic disease in dyslipidemia that may benefit only specific sub-populations. The observed ethnic differences in ApoC-III concentrations and CAD risk factors, emphasize in-depth genetic and metabolomics evaluations on diverse ancestries.

Pre-existing cardiovascular disease, acute kidney injury, and cardiovascular outcomes in hospitalized blacks with COVID-19 infection

BACKGROUND

The Corona Virus 19 (COVID-19) infection is associated with worse outcomes in blacks, although the mechanisms are unclear. We sought to determine the significance of black race, pre-existing cardiovascular disease (pCVD), and acute kidney injury (AKI) on cardiopulmonary outcomes and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of blacks with/without pCVD and with/without in-hospital AKI, hospitalized within Grady Memorial Hospital in Georgia between February and July 2020, who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on qualitative polymerase-chain-reaction assay. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital cardiac events.

RESULTS

Of the 293 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in this study, 71 were excluded from the primary analysis (for race/ethnicity other than black non-Hispanic). Of the 222 hospitalized COVID-19 patients included in our analyses, 41.4% were female, 78.8% had pCVD, and 30.6% developed AKI during the admission. In multivariable analyses, pCVD (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.5-14.8, P=0.008) and AKI (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.5, P=0.006) were associated with increased odds of in-hospital cardiac events. AKI was associated with increased odds of in-hospital mortality (OR 8.9, 95% CI 3.3-23.9, P<0.0001). The presence of AKI was associated with increased odds of ICU stay, mechanical ventilation, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

CONCLUSION

pCVD and AKI were associated with higher risk of in-hospital cardiac events, and AKI was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality in blacks.

Twenty Years of Leading the Way among Cohort Studies in Community-Driven Outreach and Engagement: Jackson State University/Jackson Heart Study

Background: History has recorded the tremendous concerns and apprehension expressed by African Americans about participating in research studies. This review enumerates the collaborative techniques that were utilized by the Jackson State University (JSU) Jackson Heart Study (JHS) community-focused team to facilitate recruitment and retention of the JHS cohort and to implement health education and health promotion in the JHS communities. Methods: This review describes the evolution of the JSU JHS community initiatives, an innovative community-driven operation, during the period 1999–2018. Results: JSU JHS community-focused investigators published approximately 20 manuscripts, including community-led research and publications with community lead authors and co-authors, research and publications in collaboration with other JHS staff, through other JSU-funded projects. The JSU JHS community-focused unit also initiated the JHS Community Training Activities, developed the Community Health Advisory Network (CHAN), and trained and certified 137 Community Health Advisors. In addition, the JSU JHS community-focused unit developed the Collaborative Community Science Model (CCSM) that symbolized its approach to community engagement and outreach, and a Trust Scale for ascertaining African Americans’ willingness to engage in biomedical research collaborations. Conclusion: This review offers educators, public health professionals, and research investigators a useful starting point for the development, selection, or improvement of techniques to motivate, inspire, and engage community residents in a community–academia partnership that yielded maximum benefits in the areas of health education, health promotion and interventions, and biomedical research. Substantial, meaningful community engagement is possible when prioritizing elimination of health disparities and long-term improvement in health care access in the target populations.

The Arkansas Minority Barber and Beauty Shop Health Initiative: Meeting People Where They Are

INTRODUCTION

The Office of Health Equity at the Arkansas Department of Health created the Arkansas Minority Barber & Beauty Shop Health Initiative (ARBBS) to address cardiovascular disease (CVD) among racial/ethnic minority populations. The objective of this study was to describe CVD-related screening results for ARBBS participants and their knowledge of CVD-related risk factors, signs, and symptoms before and immediately after participation in a screening event.

METHODS

ARBBS screening events were held from February 2016 through June 2019 at barber and beauty shops in 14 counties in Arkansas. During each event, participants were screened for hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes; surveys on CVD-related knowledge were administered before (pretest) and after (posttest) screening. Onsite public health practitioners reviewed surveys and identified abnormal screening results. Participants with abnormal screening results were counseled and given a referral to follow up with a primary care physician, wellness center, or charitable clinic. The nurse coordinator followed up to confirm that a visit or appointment had been made and provide case-management services.

RESULTS

During the study period, 1,833 people were screened. The nurse coordinator followed up with 320 (55.7%) of 574 unique referrals. Of the 574 referrals, 418 (72.8%) were for hypertension, 156 (27.2%) for high cholesterol, and 120 (20.9%) for diabetes. The overall knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of heart attack and stroke increased significantly by 15.4 percentage points from pretest to posttest (from 76.9% to 92.3%; P < .001). The follow-up approach provided anecdotal information indicating that several participants discovered they had underlying medical conditions and were given medical or surgical interventions.

CONCLUSION

Through referrals and follow-ups, ARBBS participants gained greater knowledge of chronic disease prevention and risk factors. Additionally, this program screened for and identified people at risk for CVD.

A Cardiovascular Health and Wellness Mobile Health Intervention Among Church-Going African Americans: Formative Evaluation of the FAITH! App

BACKGROUND

In light of the scarcity of culturally tailored mobile health (mHealth) lifestyle interventions for African Americans, we designed and pilot tested the Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health (FAITH!) App in a community-based participatory research partnership with African American churches to promote cardiovascular health and wellness in this population.

OBJECTIVE

This report presents the results of a formative evaluation of the FAITH! App from participants in an intervention pilot study.

METHODS

We included 2 semistructured focus groups (n=4 and n=5) to explore participants' views on app functionality, utility, and satisfaction as well as its impact on healthy lifestyle change. Sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and qualitative data were analyzed by using general inductive analysis to generate themes.

RESULTS

In total, 6 overarching themes emerged among the 9 participants: overall impression, content usefulness, formatting, implementation, impact, and suggestions for improvement. Underpinning the themes was a high level of agreement that the intervention facilitated healthy behavioral change through cultural tailoring, multimedia education modules, and social networking. Suggestions for improvement were streamlining the app self-monitoring features, prompts to encourage app use, and personalization based on individuals' cardiovascular risk.

CONCLUSIONS

This formative evaluation found that the FAITH! App had high reported satisfaction and impact on the health-promoting behaviors of African Americans, thereby improving their overall cardiovascular health. Further development and testing of the app among African Americans is warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03084822; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03084822.

Sociodemographic Determinants of Acute Myocardial Infarction Hospitalization Risks in Florida

Background Identifying social determinants of myocardial infarction (MI) hospitalizations is crucial for reducing/eliminating health disparities. Therefore, our objectives were to identify sociodemographic determinants of MI hospitalization risks and to assess if the impacts of these determinants vary by geographic location in Florida. Methods and Results This is a retrospective ecologic study at the county level. We obtained data for principal and secondary MI hospitalizations for Florida residents for the 2005-2014 period and calculated age- and sex-adjusted MI hospitalization risks. We used a multivariable negative binomial model to identify sociodemographic determinants of MI hospitalization risks and a geographically weighted negative binomial model to assess if the strength of associations vary by location. There were 645 935 MI hospitalizations (median age, 72 years; 58.1%, men; 73.9%, white). Age- and sex-adjusted risks ranged from 18.49 to 69.48 cases/10 000 persons, and they were significantly higher in counties with low education levels (risk ratio [RR]=1.033, P<0.0001) and high divorce rate (RR, 0.995; P=0.018). However, they were significantly lower in counties with high proportions of rural (RR, 0.996; P<0.0001), black (RR, 1.026; P=0.032), and uninsured populations (RR, 0.983; P=0.040). Associations of MI hospitalization risks with education level and uninsured rate varied geographically (P for non-stationarity test=0.001 and 0.043, respectively), with strongest associations in southern Florida (RR for <high school education, 1.036-1.041; RR for uninsured rate, 0.971-0.976). Conclusions Black race, divorce, rural residence, low education level, and lack of health insurance were significant determinants of MI hospitalization risks, but associations with the latter 2 were stronger in southern Florida. Thus, interventions for addressing MI hospitalization risks need to prioritize these populations and allocate resources based on empirical evidence from global and local models for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.