CVD Knowledge and Risk Awareness Among Minority Women

Introduction: CVD Disparities Among Minority Women

Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for the single largest cause of death among women, causing 8.6 million deaths annually (Keyhani et al., 2008). In the U.S., it is estimated that approximately 38.2 million women currently live with CVD, and more women than men die each year from the disease (Mosca et al., 2007). Cardiovascular disease varies substantially not only across gender lines, but also across different ethnic groups. For example, Hamner and Wilder (2008) noted that the prevalence of CVD is higher among African-American women (49%) compared to Caucasian women (35%). According to Williams (2009), the age-adjusted death rate from CVD in 2002 was significantly higher among African-American women (169.7 per 100,000) than among Caucasian women (131.2 per 100,000). Knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular risk factors remain limited among African-American women; Williams (2009), citing a 2006 survey, noted that while 77% of white women knew that CVD is the single largest cause of death among women, only 38% of Black women were aware of this fact.

Numerous modifiable factors — such as smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and hypertension — and non-modifiable factors — such as family history, increasing age, gender, and race — place women, particularly women of color, at increased risk for CVD (Hamner et al., 2008). Previous studies have also demonstrated that while some women have limited knowledge about CVD, others underestimate their risk for developing the disease (Hamner et al., 2008; Keyhani et al., 2008). Notably, healthcare professionals are often not aware of gender differences in CVD prevalence and, as a result, contribute to women's lack of recognition and less aggressive management of the disease (Keyhani et al., 2008). Disparities also exist in access to preventive therapies, as physicians often do not recommend referrals that are critical to detecting CVD in African-American women (Williams, 2009).

Despite the obvious benefit of educating women about their CVD risk, the optimal design of resources that will be readily adopted and implemented by women remains unclear. The persistence of gender and racial disparities in CVD has fueled increased attention on the need to develop innovative tools that aid not only in the management of CVD, but also in reducing incidence and mortality rates among women across different ethnic groups. Given that research has shown that most deaths from CVD can be prevented, it is important to equip both women and healthcare professionals with innovative tools that spread knowledge about CVD. The use of Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory is central to this effort. Drawing on that framework, the overarching aim of this paper is to design an innovative teaching tool that will assist women living with CVD — or at risk for it — to become more knowledgeable about their CVD risk.

References

Hamner, J., & Wilder, B. (2008). Knowledge and risk of cardiovascular disease in rural Alabama women. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 20(6), 333–338.

Keyhani, S., Scobie, J. V., Hebert, P. L., & McLaughlin, M. A. (2008). Gender disparities in blood pressure control and cardiovascular care in a national sample of ambulatory care visits. Hypertension, 51(4), 1149–1155.

Mosca, L., Banka, C. L., Benjamin, E. J., Berra, K., Bushnell, C., Dolor, R. J., . . . Wenger, N. K. (2007). Evidence-based guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention in women: 2007 update. Circulation, 115(11), 1481–1501.

Williams, R. A. (2009). Cardiovascular disease in African-American women: A health care disparities issue. Journal of the National Medical Association, 101, 536–540.