Abstract P316: Multiple Vulnerabilities to Health Disparities and Incident Coronary Heart Disease in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Social determinants contribute to disparities in incident CHD but it is not known if they have an additive effect. We hypothesized that having more socially determined vulnerabilities to health disparities is associated with increased risk of incident CHD in the REGARDS study, a large biracial prospective cohort with physiological and survey measures. Experts adjudicated incident fatal and nonfatal CHD over 10 years of follow-up. Vulnerabilities included black race, low education, low income, and Southeastern US residence. The risks for CHD outcomes associated with 1, 2, and 3+ vs 0 vulnerabilities were calculated with Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for medical conditions, functional status, health behaviors, and physiologic variables. Of the 19,645 participants free of CHD at baseline (mean age 64 years, 57% women), 16% had 0 vulnerabilities, 36% had 1, 29% had 2, and 18% had 3+. Increasing numbers of vulnerabilities were associated with higher incidence (Figure) and risk of CHD that attenuated somewhat after multivariable adjustment (Table). These findings may provide a method of risk stratification useful for population health management.