Hypertension-related disease in African Americans. Factors underlying disparities in illness and its outcome.
African Americans have a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and renal disease than white Americans. The high rates of diabetes and hypertension in children and of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and CVD in women are particularly striking. In this article, Drs Sowers, Ferdinand, Bakris, and Douglas examine the biologic, social, and genetic factors that contribute to these health disparities, the risk for which appears in early childhood.
Sowers
James R
JR
Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry, and Cell Biology, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. jsowers@netmail.hscbklyn.edu
Ferdinand
Keith C
KC
Bakris
George L
GL
Douglas
Janice G
JG
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017677:Age Distribution; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology