Introduction
Identification of groups with poor cardiovascular health (CVH) can inform where and
how to target public health efforts. National prevalence estimates of CVH were derived
for clinical (blood glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure) and behavioral (BMI,
diet quality, physical activity, smoking) factors among U.S. workers aged ≥45 years.
Methods
This cross-sectional analysis included 6,282 employed black and white men and women
aged ≥45 years enrolled in the national population-based REasons for Geographic And
Racial Differences in Stroke study from 2003 to 2007. Each CVH factor was scored as
ideal (2); intermediate (1); or poor (0) according to American Heart Association criteria,
and summed to define optimal composite scores: CVH (sum, 10–14); clinical (sum, 5–6);
and behavioral (sum, 6–8) health. Occupational data were collected 2011–2013. Analyses
were conducted in 2016.
Results
Only 14% met ideal criteria for all three clinical health factors, and none met ideal
criteria for all four behavioral health factors. Sales and low status office workers
had a low prevalence of optimal CVH. Service workers in protective services and the
food preparation and serving occupations had a low prevalence of optimal clinical
health; computer and healthcare support workers had a low prevalence of optimal behavioral
health.
Conclusions
The prevalence of optimal CVH among middle-aged and older workers in the U.S. is low,
but considerable differences exist by occupation. Targeted public health interventions
may improve the CVH of at-risk older workers with different clinical and behavioral
risk factor profiles employed in diverse occupational settings.
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Published online: April 11, 2017
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- MacDonald LA, Bertke S, Hein MJ, et al. Prevalence of cardiovascular health by occupation: a cross-sectional analysis among U.S. workers aged ≥45 years. Am J Prev Med. 2017;53(2):152–161.American Journal of Preventive MedicineVol. 57Issue 4
