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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3072.2: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 4

Abstract #121442

Determinants of diagnosis of cardiovascular (CVD) disease among adult California women, California 2004

Zipora Weinbaum, PhD, Office of Women's Health, MS 0027, California Dept of Health Services, P.O.Box 997413, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413, 916-440-7633, zweinbau@dhs.ca.gov

Background: This study was conducted to identify factors associated with CVD diagnosis among California adult women.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2004 California Women's Health Survey (CWHS), an annual random computer-assisted telephone interview conducted in English and Spanish and coordinated by the California Department of Health Services. The study covered 4,281 California women.

Results: About 5.6% of the women reported that their doctor ever told them that they had a heart attack, heart disease or a stroke, defined as a CVD diagnosis. In a multiple logistic regression the following variables were associated with having a CVD diagnosis: Age >=55 (OR=6.0, 95% C.I. 4.2-8.5), having a physical/emotional limitation (OR=3.9, 95% C.I. 2.9-5.3), ever giving live birth (OR=2.2, 95% C.I. 1.4-3.5), ever diagnosed with diabetes (OR=2.0, 95% C.I. 1.3-3.0), below 200% poverty level (OR=1.7, 95% C.I. 1.2-2.4), ever diagnosed with breast/reproductive cancer (OR=1.5, 95% C.I. 1.0-2.5). Compared to older women with CVD, younger women with CVD were less likely to have health insurance (OR=0.1, 95% C.I. 0.1-0.4) and more likely to be non-white (OR=2.5, 95% C.I. 1.3-4.9). Additionally, more of the younger women with CVD responded to the survey in Spanish (17.0%), compared to the older women (8.2%).

Conclusions: Women most likely to have a CVD diagnosis were older, but they differed from the younger CVD women on a number of important factors.

Public Health Implications: Lack of health insurance and demographics of younger women are also factors that have to be considered with CVD-related prevention, outreach and treatment.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, members of the audience will be able to do the following

    Keywords: Women's Health, Heart Disease

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    Late Breaker Poster II

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA