Description of the Mississippi Delta Cardiovascular Health Examination Survey

Background: Adults in the Mississippi Delta region are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD). In 2010, the Mississippi State Department of Health received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to complete a Cardiovascular Health Examination Survey (CHES) in the Mississippi Delta. Here we describe the overall purpose, development and implementation of CHES.

Methods: A three-stage cluster sample design will be used to randomly select 2,000 non-institutionalized Mississippi Delta adults. Study personnel will conduct in-person interviews and examinations with participants. Data collected will include measurement of blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and anthropometric levels; information on relevant CVD risk factors and behaviors; history of CVD, stroke, and diabetes; medications prescribed and actions taken to control high blood pressure (HBP) and high blood cholesterol (HC); and sociodemographic information. CHES data will be used to estimate the prevalence of HBP, HC, diabetes and other chronic conditions and their related risk factors.

Results: To date, internal and external research teams have been identified, Institutional Review Board approval has been granted, a sampling and recruitment plan has been developed, and the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory obtained CDC certification. Data collection tools were developed using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) questions and protocols.

Conclusion: CHES will be used to define the burden of chronic diseases and identify specific patterns of disease and risk behaviors in a high risk population. Future analyses are necessary to determine the correlation of CHES and other health surveillance systems, including BRFSS.