Top 5 Takeaways

1. Variation in Cardiometabolic Disease Prevalence: The study found significant variation in the prevalence of diagnosed cardiometabolic diseases (diabetes, myocardial infarction, angina or coronary heart disease, and stroke) among racial and ethnic subgroups in the U.S., with diabetes prevalence ranging from 6.3% among Vietnamese adults to 15.2% among Filipino adults.
2. Disparities Among Hispanic or Latino Subgroups: There was a noticeable range in the prevalence of angina or coronary heart disease among Hispanic or Latino subgroups, from 3.1% among Cuban adults to 6.3% among Puerto Rican adults, highlighting the importance of disaggregating racial and ethnic categories in health data.
3. Importance of Disaggregated Data: The study underscores the critical need for disaggregated racial and ethnic data to accurately identify and address disparities in cardiometabolic diseases, aiding in the development of culturally relevant interventions and prevention programs.
4. Methodological Approach: Using responses from nearly 4 million U.S. adults participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2013 to 2021, the study adjusted prevalence estimates for age, sex, and survey year to reflect the self-reported diagnosis by health care professionals.
5. Public Health Implications: Identifying disparities among disaggregated racial and ethnic subgroups can guide more effective prevention programs and interventions, emphasizing the need for continued data collection and analysis to improve health equity.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Alain K. Koyama, ScD, akoyama@cdc.gov.

Suggested Citation

Koyama AK, McKeever Bullard K, Xu F, et al. Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Diseases Among Racial and Ethnic Subgroups in Adults — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2013–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:51–56. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7303a1.

Summary

This MMWR report reveals substantial variability in the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases among different racial and ethnic subgroups in the United States, based on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System collected between 2013 and 2021. The findings highlight the critical need for disaggregated data in public health practice to address disparities accurately and develop targeted interventions.

Methods

The study utilized data from 3,970,904 respondents to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, adjusting for age, sex, and survey year. It focused on self-reported diagnoses of diabetes, myocardial infarction, angina or coronary heart disease, and stroke.

Discussion

The discussion emphasizes the importance of disaggregating racial and ethnic data to uncover and address disparities in cardiometabolic disease prevalence. It also suggests that cultural, socio-economic, and genetic factors may contribute to the observed variations in disease prevalence among subgroups.

Conclusion

Disaggregated racial and ethnic data are crucial for accurately identifying health disparities and guiding public health interventions. Continued efforts in data collection, analysis, and culturally tailored prevention programs are essential to reduce health disparities among U.S. adults.