Cardiovascular risk factors in a tri-ethnic population: Houston, Texas 1972-1975

Determinants of reported health promotion behaviors in employed Mexican American women

This study based on the revised Pender Health Promotion Model (HPM) was conducted to determine the extent to which selected demographic modifying factors, health locus of control, self-efficacy, and current health status explained engaging in six health promotion practices in a sample of 397 employed Mexican American women aged 19 to 70 years who lived and worked in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Self-administered test packets contained measures of demographic characteristics, health locus of control, self-efficacy, health status, and the six health promotion practices. Canonical correlational analysis demonstrated two significant canonical variate pairs explaining 88% of variance in the dependent set, the subscale mean scores of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Age; education; self-efficacy; internal and powerful others health locus of control; and prior, current, and future health status made statistically significant contributions. However, the demographic variables made only a minimal contribution, confirming the recent conclusions of researchers that the HPM as currently configured provides an inadequate explanation of the modifying factors' role in health promotion activity. Study results make an important addition to the understanding of how lifestyle factors contribute to Mexican American women's health and well-being.

Correlates of health-promotion activities in employed Mexican American women

The purposes of this study were to describe the health-promoting lifestyle behaviors of 397 employed Mexican American women and to compare them with women in other published reports that used the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). Mexican American women had the highest HPLP total scores of all minority groups, but lower scores than all predominantly White groups. HPLP self-actualization and interpersonal support were the highest subscale scores. The exercise subscale was the lowest score for all groups, including minorities. Canonical analysis revealed two significant canonical variate pairs explaining 88% of variance. Age, education, self-efficacy, health locus of control (internal and powerful others), and current health status made statistically significant contributions to all HPLP subscale scores. Study results support previous research findings and make an important contribution to understanding the factors that influence Mexican American women's health-promoting lifestyle behaviors.

Lipids, lipoproteins and coronary heart disease in minority populations

Despite recent advances in both prevention and treatment, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in the US. The Framingham Study was a landmark in defining CHD-related risk factors; unfortunately, very few minorities were included. A major preventable risk factor for CHD continues to be lipid abnormalities, but its association within minority populations is unclear. The few studies that have examined the association of hyperlipidemia with CHD in minorities have shown that total cholesterol was a predictor of CHD risk (e.g., black men aged 35-64). Several researchers have reported higher levels of HDL for black men and women compared to white men and women. Since HDL was shown to be inversely related to CHD, this discrepancy in HDL is hypothesized to account for the lower than expected mortality rate. Lipoprotein(a) has been identified as an independent risk factor for CHD; blacks have considerably higher levels than whites. Data also indicate the following: Hispanics have lower CVD mortality rates than the general population despite having known risk factors (e.g., obesity, diabetes, low socioeconomic status); Hispanic women have lower levels of HDL cholesterol; Native-American populations have lower prevalence of CHD associated with lower LDL-cholesterol and higher HDL-cholesterol. Understanding epidemiologic and pathophysiologic data regarding differences between various racial groups should help reduce CVD-related morbidity and mortality in minority populations.

Risk factors and mortality among black, Caucasian, and Latina women with acute myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical outcome of acute myocardial infarction among women of three ethnic/racial groups and to determine whether observed differences in outcome are explained by differences in associated risk factors. Nine hundred seventeen (917) consecutive admissions occurred among 810 women, of whom 347 (42.8%) were Caucasian, 258 (31.9%) were black, and 205 (25.3%) were Latina. The overall mortality rate was 13%; the Caucasian rate was significantly higher than the Latina rate (16.9% vs 7%, p < 0.01), as was the black rate (13.8% vs 7%, p < 0.05). Comparing survivors with nonsurvivors among the three groups, hypertension was more common for survivors among blacks, as was a history of angina; in-hospital congestive failure was associated with a higher mortality for blacks and Caucasians, as was in-hospital angina for Caucasians. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression for the outcome variables of congestive failure, in-hospital angina, and mortality, showed race to be a significant factor in the lower mortality rate for Latinas in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only in-hospital angina and congestive failure significantly influenced mortality. In this study of myocardial infarction among women of lower socioeconomic status, factors other than race were the primary influences on outcome.

Coronary artery disease in Hispanic Americans. How does ethnic background affect risk factors and mortality rates?

A concerted national effort has reduced cardiovascular mortality rates in the general US population. Unfortunately, not all ethnic groups have benefited equally from these improvements in our national health. The author presents insights into social and clinical factors that affect cardiovascular disease among Hispanic Americans.

Body size, fatness, and leanness of Mexican American children in Brownsville, Texas: changes between 1972 and 1983

Changes in the height, weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold, and arm and estimated midarm muscle circumferences in lower socioeconomic Mexican American children, 6 through 17 years of age, from Brownsville, Texas, were documented on the basis of surveys done in 1972 and 1983. With the exception of height in youths ages 14-17, all parameters show gains at most ages, and in particular an increase in fatness. Brownsville Mexican American youth are similar in height, weight, and the body mass index to Mexican American youth in other areas of Texas. These trends confirm the large proportion of relatively short but heavy children among Mexican Americans.