Tamara Thomas

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The rate of death from heart diseases is substantially higher for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults than for Asian American adults, second only to that of Black adults, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia.
Before 2018, NHPI adults were grouped with Asian adults in United States mortality data, potentially obscuring crucial distinctions between these 2 groups. In 2018, the United States changed how race was recorded on death certificates, enabling the separation of data on heart disease deaths among NHPIs from other Asian Americans.
For this study, Dr. Rebecca Woodruff and colleagues used data from the National Vital Statistics System mortality data from 2018-2022 (after the split) to compare mortality rates for people identified as NHPI to Asian adults, Black adults, and United States adults overall. The adults in this study were 35 years and older.
“We believe that the high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths among the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population in the United States has been historically underappreciated,” lead researcher, Dr. Rebecca Woodruff, said.
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In the past, data of NHPI adults were grouped with that of Asian American adults in public health research and surveillance, despite these populations being “distinct with respect to historical, cultural, linguistic and health-related factors,” Dr. Woodruff said. She also added that the larger size of the Asian population “potentially masks important differences” when lumping the 2 groups together.
The study revealed a total of 6,099 CVD deaths. Of these deaths, 72% were attributed to heart disease, while 19.8% were caused by stroke. The study also found that the death rate from CVD was highest among adults of Hawaiian descent (24.5%), followed by Samoan (24.3%) and Guamanian (11.0%). The remaining 40% of the population was attributed to “other” Pacific Islanders, which suggests the grouping is still too broad, according to the authors.
Furthermore, the researchers found that the cardiovascular mortality rate for single-race NHPI adults was a staggering 86% higher than that of Asian American adults, placing them second only to Black adults. The NHPI mortality rate also exceeded the overall death rate for heart disease and stroke among United States adults by 7%.
Dr. Woodruff and her colleagues believe that multiple factors, including a history of oppression, may be driving the higher mortality rates among NHPI adults.
“Health outcomes among the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population have likely been shaped by the legacy of Western colonialism of the Pacific region, which included loss of Native land, cultural practices, and assimilation to the dominant culture,” Dr. Woodruff said. “The resulting historical trauma has profoundly altered the economic realities and environmental conditions of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, contributing to the high prevalence of chronic diseases and related risk factors.”
The researchers also added that social stressors like discrimination and limited access to healthy lifestyle choices contribute to the higher cardiovascular risk among NHPI adults. In addition, potential health care disparities may lead to delayed prevention, detection, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in these communities.
“That is a group that needs to be even further disaggregated so we can identify high-risk populations and provide targeted public health and clinical programs for prevention,” Dr Woodruff said.
Source: <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/11/08/native-hawaiian-and-pacific-islander-adults-have-second-highest-cardiovascular-death-rate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AHA</a>

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Rates of heart disease deaths are substantially higher for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders than for Asian Americans.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Adults Have Second Highest Cardiovascular Death Rate 