Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jessica Folkman, MPH, Maile Taualii, MPH, and Ralph Forquera, MPH. Urban Indian Health Institute, Seattle Indian Health Board, PO Box 3364, Seattle, WA 98114, (206) 812-3033, jessief@uihi.org

Background: Diseases of the heart constitute the leading cause of death for the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. Disparities between the AI/AN and the US general population exist for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Although early identification of risk factors is essential for primary prevention efforts, little information exists on the CVD risk factor prevalence in AI/AN adolescents. As nearly 70% of individuals who identify as AI/AN alone or in combination with another race reside in urban areas, it is necessary to understand the prevalence of CVD risk factors in the adolescent urban AI/AN population and to include them in early prevention efforts.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors present in a sample of AI/AN adolescents residing in urban centers.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional patient chart audit of all AI/AN adolescents receiving care at five urban Indian health organizations (UIHO) located in diverse geographic areas. We identified the prevalence for the following CVD risk factors: obesity and overweight, hypertension, diabetes, and recreational tobacco use.

Results: Adolescent AI/AN patient charts were audited collectively from five UIHO locations. Findings on demographics and CVD risk factor prevalence and their associations will be presented, as well as how findings compare with other studies. The policy, programmatic, and research implications of the findings will also be discussed, particularly as they pertain to the inclusion of this at-risk population in primary prevention efforts.

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

• Describe the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors present in a sample of urban American Indian and Alaska Native adolescents
• Describe possible policy, research, and programmatic implications of those findings

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered