Despite overall improvements in the use of lipid-lowering medications and cholesterol control since 1999, Black and Hispanic/Latino patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are still less likely to receive optimal care compared to white patients, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers led by Yuan Lu, ScD, assistant professor at Yale New Haven Hospital, analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected between 1999 and March 2020. The study included 5,218 adults with a history of ASCVD, with 11.6% being Black, 7.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 80.7% white.
The findings revealed that from 2017 to 2020, the use of lipid-lowering medications was significantly lower among Black individuals (24.07 percentage points lower) and Hispanic/Latino individuals (17.56 percentage points lower) compared to white individuals.
Additionally, optimal care, defined as treatment with aspirin, cholesterol-lowering medication, and antihypertensive medication, was observed in 47.4% of Black individuals, 48.7% of Hispanic/Latino individuals, and 53% of white individuals.
“Significant disparities have persisted between current care and optimal care, surpassing any differences observed among demographic groups,” the researchers wrote. They emphasized the need for sustained efforts to bridge these gaps and achieve better outcomes for all patients, regardless of racial and ethnic backgrounds.
The study underscores the ongoing challenge of eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity, aligning with the American Heart Association’s goal to advance cardiovascular health for all.
See:”Black, Hispanic, Latino patients with ASCVD less likely to get optimal care” (December 1, 2023)
