Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Relation to the Built Environment and Race

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both genders in the United States and worldwide. One issue affecting CVD risk factors may be the built environment, which includes all things that are developed and altered by man. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the built environment and CVD risk, and the degree to which these associations are influenced by race.

Methods: The research study is a cross-sectional analysis, embedded within the Heart SCORE cohort study, a multi-faceted community-based participatory research program designed to address CVD.

Results: Significant inverse relationships were found between the built environment and BMI, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and physical inactivity. Physical activity was found to partially mediate the relationship between the built environment and BMI. In Whites, significant inverse relationships were found between the built environment and BMI, obesity, and physical inactivity, with physical mediating the relationship between the built environment and BMI. No significant relationships were found between the built environment and measures of CVD risk in Blacks.

Conclusions: Information from this study is of considerable public health significance, as it emphasizes the need to consider race in future interventions and modifications to the built environment. By investigating relationships between the built environment and other measures of CVD risk, additional insights on adequate and appropriate CVD interventions for all populations are gained.