It is critically important to be physically active.
In the United States, there has been a significant decrease in deaths related to cardiovascular disease over the past two decades, according to data from the American College of Cardiology. The adjusted heart attack death rate dropped from 87 deaths per 100,000 people in 1999 to approximately 38 deaths per 100,000 people in 2020. However, despite this positive trend, cardiovascular disease-related deaths persist, prompting researchers led by Dr. Shady Abohashem from Massachusetts General Hospital to investigate commonalities among individuals who died from heart disease.
The study analyzed county-level data and identified a key risk factor: a lack of physical activity during leisure time. Additionally, the research revealed that middle-aged women and elderly Black individuals are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease-related deaths. The researchers endorsed the CDC’s Healthy People 2030 initiative, believing that the information can inform healthcare providers on strategies to reduce the percentage of people not exercising during leisure time.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among adults in the U.S., surpassing deaths due to cancer or COVID-19. Even with the reduction in death rates, it still claims nearly 700,000 lives annually, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts in prevention and public health.
To delve into the demographics of cardiovascular-related deaths, researchers utilized data from the CDC database PLACES, which provides health information at the county level. Analyzing data from almost 310 million U.S. residents across 2900 counties, the study identified approximately 7 million cardiovascular disease-related deaths from 2011 to 2019. Factors considered included leisure time activity participation, demographics, residential location, air quality, access to exercise facilities, violent crime rates, access to healthcare, and socioeconomic status.
Counties with a higher proportion of individuals not participating in leisure time exercise exhibited elevated cardiovascular death rates. The analysis revealed that socio-environmental, behavioral, and healthcare factors collectively accounted for up to 65% of the variation in leisure time physical activity rates between counties. The study highlighted the importance of implementing targeted strategies at the county level, particularly for vulnerable groups such as middle-aged women and elderly Black individuals. Dr. Shady Abohashem emphasized the need for cultural adaptation in healthcare interventions, urging active community engagement and collaboration with community leaders to make physical activity programs culturally relevant and accessible to diverse populations.
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