Nine-year trends and racial and ethnic disparities in women's awareness of heart disease and stroke: an American Heart Association national study.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in women's awareness, knowledge, and perceptions related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) since 1997, when the American Heart Association initiated a national campaign for women.


RESULTS
A nationally representative sample of 1,005 women identified through random digit dialing (mean age 50 years, 71% white) was surveyed in 2006, and results were compared with results of similar surveys conducted in 2003, 2000, and 1997. Awareness, knowledge, and perceptions related to CVD were evaluated using a standardized interviewer-assisted questionnaire. In 2006, awareness of heart disease as the leading cause of death among women was 57%; significantly higher than in prior surveys (p < 0.001). Awareness was lower among black and Hispanic women compared with white women (31% and 29% vs. 68%, p < 0.05), and the racial/ethnic difference has not appreciably changed over time. More than twice as many women felt uninformed about stroke compared to heart disease in 2006 (23% vs. 11%, p < 0.05). Hispanic women were more likely than white women to report that there is nothing they can do to keep themselves from getting CVD (22% vs. 11%, p < 0.05). The majority of respondents (> or = 50%) reported confusion related to basic CVD prevention strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
CVD awareness has increased significantly among women since 1997, yet the racial/ethnic gap in awareness has not narrowed. Educational efforts to increase heart disease and stroke awareness should be targeted to racial/ethnic minorities, especially Hispanics. Methods to reinforce basic CVD prevention strategies are needed.
Christian
Allison H
AH
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032.
Rosamond
Wayne
W
White
Anthony R
AR
Mosca
Lori
L
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*