Heart health publications
Sheehy S, Brock M, Palmer JR, Albert MA, Cozier Y, Rosenberg L. Perceived interpersonal racism in relation to incident coronary heart disease among Black women. Circulation 2024;149(7):521-528. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.066471. PMCID: PMC10926238.
There has been little research examining whether experiences of interpersonal racism are associated with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Based on data from the Black Women’s Health Study, we found a higher risk of CHD among Black women who reported experiences of racism in employment, housing, and with the police than among those who reported no such experiences. We did not find increased risk in relation to perceived racism in everyday life.
link to online article
Rosenberg L, Palmer JR, Rao RS, Adams-Campbell LL. Risk factors for coronary heart disease in African American women. Am J Epidemiol 1999;150:904-9.
BWHS data suggest that important risk factors of coronary heart disease in Black and white women are similar. These include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history of heart attack, and obesity. Because most of these factors can be modified (for example, women can give up smoking and they can take medication for high blood pressure), it is possible for many Black women to reduce their risk of developing heart disease.
link to online article