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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Longjian Liu, MD, PhD, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, 245 North 15th Street, MS 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-762-1370, LL85@drexel.edu

Over 3 million people aged >=65 years in the United States are anemic. This condition is associated with significant functional impairment and mortality. Studies of anemia in relation to inflammatory risk factors [homocysteine (hcy), C-reactive protein (crp), and fibrinogen (fib)] and antioxidative nutrients (vitamins C and E, and folate) by racial/ethnic groups in the elderly are limited. In the study we aimed to examine these relations among American white, black and Mexican Americans (MA). A total of 2,691 subjects aged >=65 participating in the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys was analyzed. Anemia was defined according to the WHO criteria (hemoglobin level <13g /dL for women, and <12 g/dL for men). The results show that (a) black had the highest prevalence of anemia (41%) followed by white (28%) and MA (22%), (p<0.001). (b) Increased age was significantly correlated with increases in prevalence of anemia, and serum hcy levels in all racial/ethnic groups (p<0.001). (c). Logistic regression analyses indicated that age- and sex-adjusted relative risks (95%CI) of hcy and fib for anemia were 1.9 (1.3¨C2.8), and 1.8 (1.2-2.8) respectively in white. The adjusted relative risk (RR) of hcy for anemia, however was much greater for black [2.5 (1.5-4.3)], and for MA [3.6 (1.8-7.4)] as compared to white. (d). Significant inverse correlation between hcy and antioxidative nutrient factors was observed in white and black. In conclusion, age and racial/ethnic disparity in anemia among the elderly Americans can be greatly reduced by improvement of health practice and effective health promotion activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn the serious issues of aging and racial/ethnical disparity in anemia among elderly Americans, and will learn what the potential preventable risk factors and protective factors are.

Keywords: Aging, Chronic Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation