Major Global Study Reveals Elevated Heart Disease Risks in Racialized and Indigenous Communities Due to Data Gaps

A comprehensive international study has highlighted that racialized and Indigenous populations in Europe, North America, and Central America experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The research emphasizes that this disparity is exacerbated by significant gaps in health care data collection, leading to challenges in identifying and addressing risk factors for these vulnerable groups.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, but its impact is not evenly distributed. Marginalized groups, including Black, South Asian, and Indigenous communities, often face higher incidences of heart conditions, diabetes, and high blood pressure compared to White populations. Without detailed understanding of who is most at risk and why, health systems struggle to provide equitable and effective care.

Published in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe, the study is part of a broader effort by researchers from McMaster University to highlight inequalities in cardiovascular health. The findings will be presented at the upcoming European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025 in Madrid.

A key revelation from the research is the inconsistency in collecting and reporting racial and ethnic data across different regions. For example, Canada includes ethnicity in census data but often not in healthcare databases, limiting real-time disparity tracking. Many European countries lack standardized ethnicity data, relying instead on proxy measures like country of birth, which do not accurately reflect individual health risks. Similarly, in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, racial and ethnic data are rarely collected, particularly for Indigenous populations.

The U.S. has more consistent race and ethnicity data collection, but categories often lack the granularity needed to accurately assess diverse groups like Asian Americans. These data gaps result in missed opportunities to identify high-risk populations and tailor healthcare interventions accordingly.

The study also sheds light on Indigenous populations, revealing that colonial impacts and marginalization continue to disrupt traditional lifestyles, which historically promoted cardiovascular health. However, Indigenous communities that have preserved or restored their traditional ways have shown improvements in heart health despite facing barriers to healthcare access.

According to lead author Sonia Anand, a professor at McMaster University, the research underscores that disparities are strongly linked to social disadvantages like poverty, substandard housing, and limited healthcare access. The authors advocate for better data collection, including self-reported racial and ethnic information, to enable targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Recommendations from the study include increased monitoring of cardiovascular health trends, community-based screening programs focusing on high-risk groups, and publicly funded initiatives to promote active lifestyles and culturally appropriate healthy eating. Overall, the research aims to guide policymakers and healthcare providers toward reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for marginalized populations.

Source: Based on information from Medical Xpress.