Mid-life Black Women's Blood Pressure Study

Exploring race disparities in hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD)  risk factors among women ages 40 to 75

Collaborators:

• Darrell J. Gaskin, PhD, MS
• Hossein Zare, PhD, MS
• John Jackson, ScD
• Chidinma Ibe, PhD
• Jamar Slocum, MD

Objectives:

To explore race disparities in hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD)  risk factors among women ages 40 to 75.

• African American women suffer significantly higher rates of hypertension than non-Hispanic white women and Hispanic women.

• African American women have higher rates of obesity and allostatic load compared to non-Hispanic white women and Hispanic women.

• Why women ages 40 to 75?  These are the “superwomen”.  Their role as caregivers in the family is extensive.

Specific Aims:

1. To decompose race and ethnic differences in blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference
2. To decompose race and ethnic differences healthy behaviors (nutrition, physical activity, smoking and drinking) among older women with hypertension.
3. To decompose race and ethnic differences healthcare utilization (emergency room (ER), hospital stays, preventive services and usual source of care) among older women with hypertension.

Funded by the NIMHD

Grant Number