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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Selina Rahman, MBBS, PhD, MPH¹, Howard Hu, MD ScD², Eileen McNeely, PhD², Saleh M. M. Rahman, MBBS, PhD, MPH³, Nancy Krieger, PhD⁴, Junenette Peters, ScD², Cynthia Harris, PhD, DABT³, Cynthia H. Harris, PhD⁵, Deborah Prothrow-Stith, MD⁶, Brian K. Gibbs, PhD⁷, and Richard D. Gragg, PhD⁸. (1) Environmental Sciences Institute, Florida A & M University, 1520 South Brinough St., SRC 308-O, Tallahassee, FL 32307, 850-412-7795, selina.rahman@famu.edu, (2) Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Channing Laboratory, 181 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, (3) Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, FSH Science Research Center, Suite 209-A, Tallahassee, FL 32307, (4) Dept of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Kresge 717, Boston, MA 02115, (5) Dean, School of Allied Health Sciences, Florida A & M University, 1500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32307, (6) Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard University, 841 Parker Street, Boston, MA 02120, (7) Division of Health Practice, Harvard School of Public Health, 841 Parker Street, Boston, MA 02120, (8) Environmental Sciences Institute, Florida A&M University, 1515 South M.L. King Blvd., RM 305, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Introduction: Recent studies found evidence suggesting that disparities with respect to hypertension among racial groups may be related to environmental, psychosocial, and socio-economic factors. This cross-sectional study examines these factors, particularly exposure to lead and perceptions of racism and job stress, among urban (Roxbury, MA) and rural (Gadsden County, FL) settings. Methods: From each community 1000 households were randomly selected from census track for door knocking and distribution of 63-item survey questionnaire. Phase I of this ongoing study has resulted in collection of preliminary data from Gadsden County (N=58) and Roxbury (N=47). Results: Mean age was 52 years (SD=13) in both communities. Fifty percent population in Gadsden and 41% in Roxbury reported with hypertension. In Gadsden 63% people do not know if their residence contains lead paint compare to 44% in Roxbury. In Roxbury 16% reported having lead paint at residence. Almost 70% population in both communities reported experiencing discrimination in different settings such as school, workplace, housing, and medical facilities. Logistic regression analysis showed age >60 (OR=16.8, CI=2.5-114.7), income (OR=0.10, CI=0.01-0.8), smoking and ETS (OR=0.2, CI=0.1-0.9) and, diabetes (OR=6.0, CI=1.1-33.2) as significant predictors of hypertension in Gadsden County, whereas only age >60 (OR=5.8, CI=1.0-32.9) predicted hypertension among Roxbury population after adjusting for all other variables. Conclusion: Environmental and psychosocial factors related to hypertension need to be explored further with biological validation. This study will continue Phase I while initiating Phase II that entails bone lead measurement using K-x-ray fluorescence, and measurement of other risk factors using detailed methods.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify the social and environmental risk factors for hypertension
• Evalaute social and environmental risk factors for hypertension from different perspectives

Keywords: Hypertension, Risk Factors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation