Journal of the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease (Sep 2021)

Cardiovascular Health Disparities in Racial and Other Underrepresented Groups: Initial Results From the All of Us Research Program

  • Julián N. Acosta,
  • Audrey C. Leasure,
  • Cameron P. Both,
  • Natalia Szejko,
  • Stacy Brown,
  • Victor Torres‐Lopez,
  • Safa Abdelhakim,
  • Joseph Schindler,
  • Nils Petersen,
  • Lauren Sansing,
  • Thomas M. Gill,
  • Kevin N. Sheth,
  • Guido J. Falcone

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.121.021724
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 17

Abstract

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Background All of Us is a novel research program that aims to accelerate research in populations traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research. Our objective was to evaluate the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in broadly defined underrepresented groups. Methods and Results We evaluated the latest data release of All of Us. We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis combining survey and electronic health record data to estimate the prevalence of CVD upon enrollment in underrepresented groups defined by race, ethnicity, age (>75 years), disability (not able to carry out everyday physical activities), sexual orientation and gender identity lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+), income (annual household income 75 years (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.81–1.99), disability (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.53–1.68), and income <$35 000 US dollars (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.17–1.27). Sex significantly modified the odds of CVD in several of the evaluated groups. Conclusions Among participants enrolled in All of Us, underrepresented groups defined based on race, ethnicity and other factors have a disproportionately high burden of CVD. The All of Us research program constitutes a powerful platform to accelerate research focused on individuals in underrepresented groups.

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