Purpose of review: The burden of cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is pronounced among African Americans. Research has shown that behavioral, social, metabolic, psychosocial, and genetic risk factors of CVD and T2D are closely interwoven. Approximately 20 years ago, the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) was established to investigate this constellation of risk factors.
Recent findings: Findings from neighborhood studies emphasize the importance of social cohesion and physical environment in the context CVD and T2D risk. Socioeconomic status factors such as income and education were significant predictors for CVD and T2D. Behavioral studies indicate that modifiable risk factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition are associated with CVD risk and all-cause mortality. Mental health also was found to be associated with CVD and T2D. Genetic influences are associated with disease etiology. This review summarizes the joint contributions of CVD and cardiometabolic risk factors in an African American population.
Keywords: African Americans; Cardiovascular disease; Jackson Heart Study; Neighborhoods; Risk factors; Type 2 diabetes.
© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.