Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease Across the Life Course

Abstract

According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, contributing to about 697,000 (or 1 in 5) deaths in 2020 alone. Given the public health burden of this disease, it is imperative that research identifies and continues to investigate population factors that may contribute to or alleviate this burden in the United States. The proposed study aimed to analyze such factors across the life course. Study 1 examined associations between an expanded set of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and childhood obesity among 10-17 year olds using the National Survey of Children’s Health, as well as sex and age differences within these associations. Study 2 investigated high optimism as a modifier and mediator of the association between childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and CVD in midlife, using the Midlife in the United States Study, a U.S. prospective cohort. Study 3 examined temporal trends in the associations between adult socioeconomic status and CVD mortality using nationally-representative data from the 1997-2018 National Health Interview Survey.