title: Trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of cardiovascular risk factors across educational level in the 1995-2005 period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the differences and trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle variables across educational level in the 1995-2005 period in a country with a universal free health care system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from three consecutive independent population-based surveys were used. Cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle variables, and self-reported educational level were collected in 9646 individuals ages 35-74 years throughout the decade.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was inversely associated with education. An increase in the proportion of hypertension and dyslipidemia awareness, treatment, and control in all educational level groups was observed. This increase was greater among the lowest education group, reducing the disparities between groups. The prevalence of lifestyle-related risk factors decreased in the greatest but increased in the lowest education group, widening the disparities between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A universal free health care system is effective in avoiding inequalities in the diagnosis, treatment, and control of cardiovascular risk factors. However, other social determinants seem to explain the social inequalities in the prevalence of these risk factors and in the adoption of healthy lifestyles.
authors: Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics Group, IMIM, Barcelona, Spain. aredondo@imim.es
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Redondo
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Benach
authors: Isaac
authors: I
authors: Subirana
authors: José Miguel
authors: JM
authors: Martinez
authors: Miguel Angel
authors: MA
authors: Muñoz
authors: Rafel
authors: R
authors: Masiá
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Ramos
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Sala
authors: Jaume
authors: J
authors: Marrugat
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Elosua
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology