Today's Date: September 21, 2023
Grant Funding Aims to Improve Safety & Security in New Mexico Schools   •   Sean "Diddy" Combs Applauds Black Leaders' Commitment to Defending Democracy, Driving Corporate Diversity at Congressional Black   •   COSMOSS Partners With Chopra Foundation 'Never Alone' to Support Mental Health Awareness   •   Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired) Francis M. Beaudette Named Ambassador at PenFed Foundation   •   Métis Citizens elect new president in first election for new Otipemisiwak Métis Government   •   Sendero Health Plans Names Sharon Alvis as Next Chief Executive   •   RazerCon 2023 Lights Up the Global Gaming Community With Groundbreaking Announcements & Exclusive Partnerships   •   Sen. Bernie Sanders Addresses Critical Shortage of Black Physicians at the NMA's Professional Development Series   •   Young Travel & Cruises Educational Seminars Offer Upstate SC Travel Enthusiasts a Chance to Learn about Land, River and Sea   •   Valent BioSciences Announces Construction of New Oregon Facility   •   LeadingAge And Ziegler Release 20th Annual LeadingAge Ziegler LZ 200 Report   •   Revry and Discover Present The 8th Annual Queer X Awards on National Coming Out Day   •   Five Cities Join Sunstone Economic Development Challenge @ USC Price   •   Métis Nation within Alberta Citizens elect new President and Citizens' Council, formally becoming the Otipemisiwak M&eacu   •   UNITE HERE Local 11: Laguna Cliffs Hospitality Workers Rally at UC Regents Meeting in Los Angeles   •   Church of the Highlands Opens New Huntsville Campus Location   •   Mattel Publishes Latest Citizenship Report Presenting 2022 Progress on ESG Strategy and Goals   •   QuidelOrtho Receives CLIA Waiver for Sofia® 2 SARS Antigen+ FIA   •   TinySuperheroes Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary Outfitting Courageous Kids With Superhero Capes As They Battle Illnesses and Dis   •   Orion S.A. Declares Interim Quarterly Dividend
Bookmark and Share

Health Disparities Research Celebrates 10 Years

JACKSON, MS - The tenth anniversary of the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) will be observed on Sept. 23-24 in Jackson, Mississippi. The JHS is the largest study in history to investigate genetic factors that affect high blood pressure, heart and lung disease, stroke, diabetes, and other important diseases in African-Americans. 

“Cardiovascular disease is more prevalent among African-Americans than among whites in the United States. The Jackson Heart Study is exploring the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to this disparity,” said NHLBI Acting DirectorSusan B. Shurin, M.D.   “The study is looking at ways to diagnose and image heart abnormalities before they become clinically evident, and may help researchers to develop approaches to prevent and treat heart disease in African-Americans.”

The JHS originally recruited 5,300 African-Americans living in Jackson.  Approximately 4,900 study participants are currently being followed. This is an observational study in which participants undergo examination and testing, but it does not involve treatment. Research is conducted at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University, and Tougaloo College. The JHS is funded by the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

The JHS has observed study participants' lives and how their heart health is related to their environment. Important findings have included:
 
  • In African-Americans, family history and obesity are the main factors that predict high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein in the blood associated with inflammation and linked to heart disease. Nearly a quarter of the risk for high CRP levels can be traced to preventable cardiovascular risk factors, especially obesity.
  • The difference in obesity prevalence between African-Americans and white Americans may be explained by genetic variations.
  • Asthma is drastically underdiagnosed in African-American adults.
  • Asthma can be linked to the use of high blood pressure medication.

 

The Jackson Heart Study Scientific Conference, to be held at the Jackson Convention Complex, will feature prominent researchers, clinicians, and other experts from institutions across the country. The conference will focus on JHS findings and future research directions that may help eliminate health disparities. Dr. Shurin will give a presentation at noon on Sept. 24 highlighting the NHLBI’s commitment to population-based studies such as the JHS as well as the importance of resolving cardiovascular health disparities. 

 

 

“We need to determine the most fruitful research areas to pursue,” said Herman Taylor, M.D., the director and principal investigator of the Jackson Heart Study. “Are we using the best methods we can to address health disparities? Answering questions like this will help us do what's best for people.”


# # #
The NHLBI plans, conducts, and supports research related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases; and sleep disorders. The Institute also administers national health education campaigns on women and heart disease, healthy weight for children, and other topics.

The National Institutes of Health — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. 


STORY TAGS: BLACK , AFRICAN AMERICAN , MINORITY , CIVIL RIGHTS , DISCRIMINATION , RACISM , NAACP , URBAN LEAGUE , RACIAL EQUALITY , BIAS , EQUALITY



Back to top
| Back to home page
Video

White House Live Stream
LIVE VIDEO EVERY SATURDAY
alsharpton Rev. Al Sharpton
9 to 11 am EST
jjackson Rev. Jesse Jackson
10 to noon CST


Video

LIVE BROADCASTS
Sounds Make the News ®
WAOK-Urban
Atlanta - WAOK-Urban
KPFA-Progressive
Berkley / San Francisco - KPFA-Progressive
WVON-Urban
Chicago - WVON-Urban
KJLH - Urban
Los Angeles - KJLH - Urban
WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
New York - WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
WADO-Spanish
New York - WADO-Spanish
WBAI - Progressive
New York - WBAI - Progressive
WOL-Urban
Washington - WOL-Urban

Listen to United Natiosns News