Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
Volume 27, Issue 2, Pages 237-244Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpt209
Keywords
blood pressure; emigration; hypertension; immigration; minority groups; nativity status; New York City
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Funding
- NIMHD NIH HHS [P60 MD000538, U54 MD000538] Funding Source: Medline
- NIMH NIH HHS [P30 MH090322] Funding Source: Medline
- NCCDPHP CDC HHS [U48 DP005008] Funding Source: Medline
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Characterization of health conditions in recent immigrant subgroups, including foreign-born whites and Asians, is limited but important for identifying emerging health disparities. Hypertension, a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been shown to be associated with acculturation, but the acculturative experience varies for different racial/ethnic groups. Assessing the impact of race/ethnicity on the relationship between acculturation-related factors and hypertension is therefore of interest. Data from the 20052008 waves (n 36,550) of the NYC Community Health Survey were combined to estimate self-reported hypertension prevalence by nativity, language spoken at home, and time spent in the United States. Multivariable analyses were used to assess (i) the independent associations of acculturation-related factors and hypertension and (ii) potential effect modification by race/ethnicity. Sensitivity analysis recalibrating self-reported hypertension using measured blood pressures from a prior NYC population-based survey was performed. Prevalence was also explored by country of origin. Being foreign vs. US born was associated with higher self-reported hypertension in whites only. Speaking Russian vs. English at home was associated with a 2-fold adjusted odds of self-reported hypertension. Living in the United States for 10 years vs. less time was associated with higher self-reported hypertension prevalence in blacks and Hispanics. Hypertension prevalence in Hispanics was slightly lower when using a recalibrated definition, but other results did not change substantively. Race/ethnicity modifies the relationship between acculturation-related factors and hypertension. Consideration of disease prevalence in origin countries is critical to understanding health patterns in immigrant populations. Validation of self-reported hypertension in Hispanic populations is indicated.
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