A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association highlights how various social and structural factors contribute to cardiovascular health disparities among Asian American subgroups. The statement, published in the journal Circulation, identifies immigration status, socioeconomic position, and access to healthcare as key determinants affecting heart health in these communities.
Asian Americans, the fastest-growing racial group in the United States, are projected to reach approximately 46 million by 2060. Despite this growth, they remain underrepresented in medical research. This underrepresentation often leads to the aggregation of diverse Asian ethnic groups into a single category, masking significant health differences among subgroups. Dr. Nilay S. Shah, chair of the statement writing group, emphasized the need for individual identification of Asian American ethnic groups, noting that each subgroup has unique social, cultural, and health characteristics.
The statement also points out that Asian Americans are less likely to participate in health research, partly due to language barriers and lower English proficiency. This lack of participation further limits the understanding of cardiovascular health in these populations. Dr. Shah highlighted that social factors such as reasons for immigration, socioeconomic status, and healthcare access uniquely influence health behaviors and disease risk in different Asian ethnic groups.
The findings underscore the importance of tailored research and healthcare approaches to address the specific needs of Asian American subgroups, aiming to reduce health disparities and improve cardiovascular outcomes in these communities.
See ‘’Interrelated social factors may affect cardiovascular health in Asian American subgroups” (September 16, 2024)
