“We are witnessing a smoldering public health crisis,” Rishi K. Wadela, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and one of the study authors, wrote in an email.
Death from heart attack and other effects Cardiovascular disease was declining in the United States due to medical advances in prevention and treatment. Its progress has stagnated over the past decade.
the study, Published in Journal of American Medical Associationusing data between 2009 and 2020, aimed to find out whether young adults are increasingly at risk.
The results were mixed. Obesity (33% to 41%) and diabetes (3% to 4%) increased. Hypertension showed no significant improvement: slightly increased from 9% to 11.5%, but did not reach statistical significance.
Hyperlipidemia—high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides—decreased from 40.5% to 26%.
Black youth face the greatest risk. Hypertension is twice as prevalent in her among other racial and ethnic groups. Diabetes and obesity are also more common.
The authors of this study identified structural racial inequality in American society as the driving force behind the gap.
“Young blacks are more likely to live in low-income households with housing insecurity and food insecurity, and in socio-economically disadvantaged areas,” Wadela said. face disproportionate access to medicines and are likely to live in ‘pharmacy deserts’ – a reference to areas with difficult access to medicines.
High blood pressure is on the rise among Hispanics, a trend that is not evident in other groups.
A diet high in sodium and ultra-processed foods are among the factors behind the rise in high blood pressure among Hispanics, according to researchers. They emphasized that it goes beyond lifestyle choices. In areas where grocery stores are scarce, it can be difficult to get fresh produce.
Researchers believe that the decline in young adults with high cholesterol is partly explained by increased regulation of trans fats in food.
This study found no significant differences in cardiovascular risk factors between men and women.
They also warned that it was unclear whether the trend has continued since the coronavirus pandemic began, as the study only covered up to 2020.
Here are some ways the authors of the study suggested ways to address inequality.
- Expanding large-scale efforts to screen and treat hypertension in black young adults.
- Screen for diabetes early in life because current guidelines often apply to people over the age of 35.
- Launch public health campaign to address rising diabetes among Mexican-American adults
- Increase green space in communities that encourage physical activity to combat the sedentary lifestyles that contribute to the rise in obesity.
Without action to reverse the trend, the public health impact could be disastrous, the study warns.
“Especially if these trends continue, the observed increased burden of risk factors among young adults will lead to a long-term tsunami of cardiovascular disease and ultimately cardiovascular mortality as the U.S. population ages.” The rate could increase,” Wadela said.
