A growing concern in pediatric health is the increasing prevalence of hypertension among children, with alarming racial disparities coming to light. Dr. Susan Halbach, Director of the Hypertension Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital, warns that pediatric hypertension is rising and often goes undetected due to its asymptomatic nature.
The obesity epidemic is a significant contributor to this trend, with 32% of U.S. children being overweight or obese. Among this group, up to 47% are estimated to have hypertension. However, the issue goes beyond individual health choices, as social determinants of health play a crucial role.
Studies show that African American children and those from underrepresented communities face a greater risk of hypertension compared to their white counterparts. Dr. Halbach notes, “There is quite a bit of evidence that there is a lot of disparity in cardiovascular disease occurrence and outcomes in the United States.”
A study by Nagata et al. found that household income and race are significant predictors of hypertensive-range blood pressure in early adolescents. Notably, among higher-income households, Black race was associated with more than three-fold higher odds of hypertensive-range blood pressure compared to White race.
Dr. Halbach emphasizes the importance of regular screening and lifestyle changes in managing childhood hypertension. However, she acknowledges the challenges faced by some families, stating, “The things that we know contribute to a healthy lifestyle in terms of disease prevention are not accessible to people in equal ways, like food deserts and environmental factors.”
This growing health issue underscores the need for targeted interventions and policies to address both the medical and socioeconomic factors contributing to childhood hypertension and its racial disparities.
See “Children Are Becoming Increasingly At-Risk for Hypertension” (July 24, 2024)
