Mental Health and Access to Medical Care in Patients with Chronic Cardiovascular Conditions: An Analysis of the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System

Introduction. Poor mental health is associated with worse outcomes for chronic diseases. It is unclear whether mental illness predisposes to difficulties with healthcare access. Methods. Using a combined dataset of the 2016-2019 behavioral risk factor surveillance system, we included individuals who reported a chronic cardiovascular condition. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between domains of mental health and measures of healthcare access including delaying medical care, > 1 year since last routine checkup, lack of a primary care physician (PCP), and cost-related medication nonadherence (CRMNA). Results. Among 1,747, 397 participants, 27% had a chronic cardiovascular condition, 12% had clinical depression, and 12% had poor mental health. Those with poor mental health (OR 3.20 [3.08 – 3.33]) and clinical depression (OR 2.43 [2.35 – 2.52]) were more likely to report delays in medical care.  Those with greater stress frequency (OR 8.47 [6.84 -10.49] stressed all of the time), lower levels of emotional support received (OR 3.07 [2.21 – 4.26] rarely get needed emotional support), and greater life dissatisfaction (6.66 [4.14 – 10.70] very dissatisfied) reported greater delays in medical care. Conclusions. Individuals with poor mental health have greater difficulty accessing medical care independent of socioeconomic variables

Healthcare Access Among Individuals of Asian Descent in the U.S.

Introduction. Some groups of Asian Americans, especially Asian Indians, experience higher rates of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) compared with other groups in the U.S. Barriers in accessing medical care partly may explain this higher risk as a result of delayed screening for cardiovascular risk factors and timely initiation of preventive treatment. Methods. Cross-sectional data were utilized from the 2006 to 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Barriers to accessing medical care included no place to seek medical care when needed, no healthcare coverage, no care due to cost, delayed care due to cost, inability to afford medication, or not seeing a doctor in the past 12 months. Results. The study sample consisted of 18,150 Asian individuals, of whom 20.5% were Asian Indian, 20.5% were Chinese, 23.4% were Filipino, and 35.6% were classified as “Other Asians”. The mean (standard error) age was 43.8 (0.21) years and 53% were women. Among participants with history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or ASCVD (prevalence = 25%), Asian Indians were more likely to report delayed care due to cost (2.58 (1.14,5.85)), while Other Asians were more likely to report no care due to cost (2.43 (1.09,5.44)) or delayed care due to cost (2.35 (1.14,4.86)), compared with Chinese. Results among Filipinos were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Among Asians living in the U.S. with cardiovascular risk factors or ASCVD, Asian Indians and Other Asians are more likely to report delayed care or no care due to cost compared with Chinese

Racial/Ethnic Disparities and Determinants of Sufficient Physical Activity Levels

Introduction. It is important to identify racial/ethnic groups that may be less likely to achieve sufficient physical activity levels, and to address barriers to meeting physical activity requirements. Methods. Cross-sectional data from the 2006-2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) was used to compare self-reported sufficient physical activity among different racial/ethnic groups: non-Hispanic (NH) Whites, NH Blacks, NH Asians, and Hispanics. Sufficient physical activity was defined as ≥150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity, ≥75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or ≥150 minutes per week of moderate and vigorous physical activity. Results. The study sample consisted of 296,802 individuals, mean age ± standard error age 46.4 ± 0.10 years, 52% women, 70% NH White, 12% NH Black, 5% NH Asian, 14% Hispanic. The prevalence of sufficient physical activity in the overall population was 46%, while it was 48% among NH Whites, 39% among NH Blacks, 45% among NH Asians, and 40% among Hispanics. In multivariable-adjusted models (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval), NH Blacks (0.79; 0.64,0.97), NH Asians (0.72; 0.62,0.85) and Hispanics (0.71; 0.61,0.82) were significantly less likely to engage in sufficient physical activity compared with NH Whites. Older age, women, and low income were inversely associated with sufficient physical activity, while a college education or higher was directly associated with it. Conclusions. NH Black, NH Asian, and Hispanic adults are less likely to engage in sufficient physical activity levels compared with NH Whites. It is important to address barriers to meeting physical activity thresholds to help achieve optimal cardiovascular health

Associations of cigarette smoking with subclinical inflammation and atherosclerosis : ELSA-Brasil (The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health)

Background-—There is a need to identify sensitive biomarkers of early tobacco-related cardiovascular disease. We examined the association of smoking status, burden, time since quitting, and intensity, with markers of inflammation and subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods and Results-—We studied 14 103 participants without clinical cardiovascular disease in ELSA-Brasil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health). We evaluated baseline cross-sectional associations between smoking parameters and inflammation (highsensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP]) and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima–media thickness, ankle-brachial index, and coronary artery calcium [CAC]). The cohort included 1844 current smokers, 4121 former smokers, and 8138 never smokers. Mean age was 51.7 8.9 years; 44.8% were male. After multivariable adjustment, compared with never smokers, current smokers had significantly higher levels of hsCRP (b=0.24, 0.19–0.29 mg/L; P0 (odds ratio: 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.46–2.30; P0 were lower with increasing time since quitting (P0 (P=0.03) after adjusting for duration of smoking. Conclusions-—Strong associations were observed between smoking status, burden, and intensity with inflammation (hsCRP) and subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima–media thickness, ankle-brachial index, CAC). These markers of early cardiovascular disease injury may be used for the further study and regulation of traditional and novel tobacco products

Recent Advances in the Clinical Management of Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is a historic universal disease. Acute or chronic lead exposure may cause reversible or even permanent damages in human beings. Environmental lead exposure is a global health concern in children. Occupational lead poisoning is still a health issue, particularly in developing countries. During the last decades, new methods and medications have been advocated for the prevention and treatment of lead poisoning. This review deals mainly with recent developments in the management of lead poisoning. Sources of lead exposure are introduced, and methods for the primary prevention of lead poisoning are discussed. Details for the screening of adults and children are also explained to serve as a practical guideline for the secondary prevention. Standard chelation therapy in different groups and up-to-date less toxic new medications for the treatment of lead poisoning are finally discussed. Our published clinical research on the therapeutic effects of garlic tablets in mild to moderate occupational lead poisoning will also be discussed

Association of U.S. birth, duration of residence in the U.S., and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors among Asian adults

Introduction: Prior studies have shown a direct association between U.S. birth and duration of residence with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) though, few have specifically focused on Asian Americans. Methods: We utilized cross-sectional data from the 2006 to 2015 National Health Interview Survey. We compared prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and ASCVD among Asian American individuals by U.S. birth and duration of time spent in the U.S.Results: The study sample consisted of 18,150 Asian individuals of whom 20.5 % were Asian Indian, 20.5 % were Chinese, 23.4 % were Filipino, and 35.6 % were of other Asian ethnic groups. The mean (standard error) age was 43.8 (0.21) years and 53 % were women. In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, U.S. birth was associated with a higher prevalence odds ratio (95 % confidence interval) of current smoking 1.31 (1.07,1.60), physical inactivity 0.62 (0.54,0.72), obesity 2.26 (1.91,2.69), hypertension 1.33 (1.12,1.58), and CAD 1.96 (1.24,3.11), but lower prevalence of stroke 0.28 (0.11,0.71). Spending greater than 15 years in the U.S. was associated with a higher prevalence of current smoking 1.65 (1.24,2.21), obesity 2.33 (1.57,3.47), diabetes 2.68 (1.17,6.15), and hyperlipidemia 1.72 (1.09,2.71).Conclusion: Heterogeneity exists in cardiovascular risk factor burden among Asian Americans according to Asian ethnicity, U.S. birth, and duration of time living in the U.S