Online Program

323625
Examining relationships between cardiovascular disease and psychiatric disorders among Latinos in the United States


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 2:50 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.

Leopoldo J. Cabassa, Ph.D., School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY
Roberto Lewis-Fernández, MD, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
Shuai Wang, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
Carlos Blanco, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
Objectives. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among Latinos in the U.S. and disproportionately impacts people with psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between CVD and psychiatric disorders using a nationally representative sample of Latinos.

Methods. Latinos participants (N = 6,359) were drawn from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a nationally representative study conducted in the U. S.  The AUDADIS-IV, a structured diagnostic interview, was used to determine psychiatric diagnoses for any past-year mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders.  Self-reported measure of physician diagnosed CVD (e.g., heart attack, stroke) was used.  Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between CVD and psychiatric disorders adjusting for demographic (e.g., gender, age) and BMI variables.

 Results. CVD rates were higher for Puerto Ricans (12%) and Cubans (11%), followed by other- Latinos (7%) and Mexicans (5%).  After controlling for demographic variables and BMI, the relationships between CVD and psychiatric disorders differ significantly by Latino groups.  For Puerto Ricans, any mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders were associated with higher odds of CVD.  For Mexicans and other-Latinos, any mood and anxiety disorders were associated with higher odds of CVD.  Cubans reported no significant relationships between CVD and psychiatric disorders.

Conclusions. This study shows the differential impact that psychiatric disorders have on CVD among Latinos. Culturally-appropriate prevention and treatment strategies are needed to reduce the negative impacts of psychiatric-medical comorbidities among Latinos in the U.S.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Explain how cardiovascular disease impact Latinos in the U.S. Discuss the relationships between psychiatric disorders and rates of cardiovascular disease among Latinos in the U.S. Identify strategies that can be used to improve the health and mental health of Latinos with comorbid CVD and psychiatric disorders.

Keyword(s): Latinos, Health Disparities/Inequities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a PhD in social work and have been trained in mental health services research with an emphasis on racial and ethnic disparities in health and mental health care. I have been the principal investigators of severally federally funded studies focusing on the physical health of Latinos with serious mental illness.
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.

Back to: 4333.0: Oral: Latino mental health