Geographic variation in hypertension prevalence among blacks and whites: the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Many studies have examined differences in hypertension across race/ethnic groups but few have evaluated differences within groups.


METHODS
We investigated within-group geographic variations in hypertension prevalence among 3,322 black and white participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Place of birth and place of residence were included in multivariate Poisson regression analyses.


RESULTS
Blacks born in southern states were 1.11 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.23) times more likely to be hypertensive than non-southern states after adjusting for age and sex. Findings were similar, though not statistically significant, for whites (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.15, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.35). Blacks and whites living in Forsyth (blacks, PR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.42; whites, PR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.60) and Baltimore (blacks, PR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.31; whites, PR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.47) were also significantly more likely to be hypertensive than those living in Chicago after adjusting for age and sex. Among blacks, those living in New York were also significantly more likely to be hypertensive. Geographic heterogeneity was partially explained by socioeconomic indicators, neighborhood characteristics or hypertension risk factors. There was also evidence of substantial heterogeneity in black-white differences depending on which geographic groups were compared (ranging from 82 to 13% higher prevalence in blacks compared with whites).


CONCLUSIONS
A better understanding of geographic heterogeneity may inform interventions to reduce racial/ethnic disparities.
Kershaw
Kiarri N
KN
Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health and Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. kkershaw@umich.edu
Diez Roux
Ana V
AV
Carnethon
Mercedes
M
Darwin
Christine
C
Goff
David C
DC
Post
Wendy
W
Schreiner
Pamela J
PJ
Watson
Karol
K
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001741:Black or African American