People living in areas of social and environmental adversity may have up to a two-fold increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke, new research published today in the journal Ta. American Heart Association Journalan open-access peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

In this study, environmental adversities include air and water pollution, potentially dangerous or toxic sites, lack of recreational parks, and busy roads, railroads, or airports. Social vulnerability was defined as racial and ethnic minority status. Socioeconomic factors such as income, education, and employment level. housing situation. and access to the internet and health care.

“Our study is one of the first to examine the combined influence of both social and environmental factors, highlighting the complex interactions between them,” said the study’s lead author. said Sarju Ganatra, MD, cardiologist and vice chair of the School of Medicine. He is research and director of the Cardio-Oncology Program and the South Asia Cardiometabolic Program at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts.

This study used the Environmental Justice Index. Developed using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Assessing environmental disadvantage across U.S. census tracts.

The analysis revealed the following:

• People living in the most environmentally vulnerable areas had 1.6 times the rate of artery occlusion and more than twice the rate of stroke compared to people living in the least environmentally vulnerable areas.
• The most vulnerable areas had higher risk factors for cardiovascular disease, with twice the incidence of type 2 diabetes, 1.8 times higher incidence of chronic kidney disease, and 1.5 times higher incidence of hypertension and obesity.
• Approximately 30% of all U.S. residents ages 18 to 44, 21% of black adults, and most Hispanic adults live in areas with alarmingly high environmental impacts.

“I was surprised to see that social and environmental factors are closely related to health outcomes and interact in complex ways. We were able to demonstrate a “double effect.” And more than that, even after adjusting for socio-economic factors, environmental factors played a significant and independent role in determining a variety of heart disease and other related health outcomes.” Ganatra said.

Researchers say that reversing the effects of social and environmental disadvantage requires interventions to reduce exposure to pollution, policies that address the causes of poverty, urban revitalization, quality public education, and employment. A multifaceted approach will be needed, including development programs and affordable housing. We are taking steps to ensure universal access to quality health care.

Our goal is to help the medical community better inform patients about the environmental factors they encounter every day. As a result, patients will be able to reduce their exposure to harmful environmental conditions, such as exposure to harmful chemicals and air pollutants, to minimize health hazards and reduce health risks. Masu. ”

Sarju Ganatra, MD, cardiologist, associate director of research medicine, director of the Cardio-Oncology Program and South Asia Cardiometabolic Program, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts

A March 2024 American Heart Association policy statement states that adapting cities to heart-healthy and sustainable living requires integrated public policy, addressing energy, mobility, housing, green infrastructure, and water. and the impact on society of urban supply systems that provide waste management. Cardiovascular and metabolic health of people living in urban areas nationwide.

Research background and details:

• This study uses the 2022 Environmental Justice Index, Socio-Environmental Justice Index, and Environmental Burden Module to rank census tracts from most vulnerable to least vulnerable, covering more than 71,000 census tracts in the United States. determined the cumulative impact of environmental injustice on
• Age-adjusted rate ratios for arterial occlusion, stroke, and various health measures reported in Prevention Population-Level Analysis and Regional Estimates (PLACES) data were compared between index and module rankings. Population estimates were obtained from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey.

A limitation of the study is that due to the nature of the database, it is not possible to prove cause and effect relationships. However, research shows a strong association.