Geographic variation in cardiovascular disease risk factors among American Indians and comparisons with the corresponding state populations.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To compare the prevalence of self-reported CVD, diabetes, hypertension, fair/poor perceived health status, and current tobacco use from three surveys of American Indians - two in the Southeast (Catawba Diabetes and Health Survey [CDHS] and Lumbee Diabetes and Health Survey [LDHS]) and one in the upper Midwest (Inter-Tribal Heart Project [ITHP]). (2) To compare the prevalence estimates from the CDHS, LDHS, ITHP with those for the corresponding state populations (South Carolina, North Carolina, Minnesota and Wisconsin, respectively) derived from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).


METHODS
Pearson's Chi-square analyses were used to detect statistically significant differences in the age-adjusted prevalence estimates across the study populations.


RESULTS
Among these three populations of American Indians, the ITHP participants had the highest prevalence estimates of diabetes (20.1%) and current cigarette smoking (62.8%). The CDHS participants had the highest prevalence estimate of fair/poor perceived health status (32.0%). The LDHS participants had the highest prevalence estimate of chewing tobacco use (14.0%), and the lowest prevalence of CVD. The prevalence estimates of self-reported diabetes were dramatically higher among American Indian participants in the ITHP (20.1%) and CDHS (14.9%) than among participants in the corresponding state BRFSS (5.8% MN and WI and 6.6% SC), as were the estimates for hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
The substantial variations in prevalence of CVD and its risk factors among Tribal Nations suggests that distinct cultural norms, historic conditions, and important health issues of each American Indian community must be recognized and incorporated into all health promotion programs and policies.
Levin
S
S
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Physical Activity and Health Branch, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. s.levin@morehead-st.edu
Welch
V L Lamar
VL
Bell
R A
RA
Casper
M L
ML
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology