Faculty Articles
Racial/ethnic differences in knowledge of personal and target levels of cardiovascular health indicators
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of Community Health
ISSN
0094-5145
Publication Date
4-19-2015
Abstract
This study aimed to examine ethnic differences in knowledge of personal and target levels of cardiovascular health indicators between non-Hispanic whites and African Americans. A secondary objective was to evaluate the associations between knowledge of cardiovascular health indicators and health promotion behaviors. Participants (66.7 % female) consisted of 265 whites and 428 African Americans, ages 18 and older recruited from primary care clinics and churches. Respondents completed a brief survey on blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), diet, and physical activity. Whites were more likely than African Americans to report knowing their personal and target levels of cardiovascular health indicators. Knowledge of personal BP and/or BMI was positively associated with actual physical activity, and awareness of personal blood glucose was positively associated with healthy dietary practices for participants in both groups. Among whites, awareness of personal BP and knowledge of target levels for BP, total cholesterol, and BMI were also associated with healthy diet. Results suggest there are racial/ethnic disparities in knowledge of personal and ideal levels of cardiovascular health indicators, and that this knowledge is related to health promotion behaviors. Targeted educational efforts are warranted to enhance knowledge of personal risk indicators among African Americans.
DOI
10.1007/s10900-015-0027-z
First Page
1
Last Page
7
NSUWorks Citation
Ma, M.,
Ma, A.
(2015). Racial/ethnic differences in knowledge of personal and target levels of cardiovascular health indicators. Journal of Community Health, 1-7.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/950
