TAMPA, Fla., Mar 16, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. researchers say there is an
urgent need to reduce stroke risk factors among young African-Americans.
The study, published online in Neuroepidemiology, finds blacks bear a
disproportionate burden of disease, disability and death from strokes.
"In fact, it's clear that the gap emerges even at relatively young ages -- among
adults hospitalized for strokes in their 20s and 30s -- and widens with
increasing age," study lead author Elizabeth Barnett Pathak of the University of
Southern Florida College of Public Health College said in a statement.
"It points toward an urgent need for primary prevention of hypertension, obesity
and other stroke risk factors among African-Americans to eliminate disparities
in stroke."
The researchers examined more than 16,000 cases of adults between the ages of
25-49 years hospitalized for stroke in Florida from 2001-06 and found:
-- The age-adjusted stroke hospitalization rate for blacks was three times
higher than for whites or Hispanics.
-- The death rate for black patients was 15 percent higher than for whites.
Hispanic patients were less likely than whites to die in the hospital.
-- Black patients were more likely to have high blood pressure, morbid obesity
or drug abuse. High cholesterol, alcohol abuse or cigarette smoking was found
more in white patients.
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