186753 Evaluation of knowledge and cultural perceptions of acute coronary syndrome in an urban community

Monday, October 27, 2008

Olga Hilas, PharmD , Master of Public Health Program, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Background/Rationale: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary heart disease represents up to 70% of all heart disease deaths, with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) contributing to a majority of this mortality. In 2006-2007, a longitudinal study was conducted at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital (in Brooklyn, NY) studying health disparities among individuals with presumed or confirmed ACS and the repective times to seek emergency medical attention.

Hypothesis: ACS is not completely understood by all and certain cultural perceptions may add to the barriers of seeking immediate and necessary medical attention.

Objectives: To assess the level of understanding of ACS, its treatment and complications; and to determine what cultural perception exist regarding ACS.

Methods: To organize focus groups representative of the four most common ethnicities to present to the emergency departments of SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital (Caribbean, African American, Hispanic and Haitian).

Results: All data are currently being collected.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe health disparities of acute coronary syndrome 2. Identify risk factors of acute coronary syndrome in different races and ethnicities 3. Evaluate perceptions of diagnosis and treatment of acute coronary syndrome among certain races and ethnicities

Keywords: Urban Health, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently completing my MPH and have focused on urban health and health disparities during my studies.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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