Lower socioeconomic status leads to increased mortality rates from coronary artery disease compared to those with higher socioeconomic status, with over half of the differences attributed to four unhealthy lifestyle choices, as highlighted by a recent study.
Research conducted by Dr. Yachen Zhu from the Alcohol Research Group in the U.S. and Dr. Charlotte Probst from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada reveals that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to die from coronary artery disease compared to their higher-status counterparts. These findings were published on September 17 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine.
Coronary artery disease—often referred to as coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease—arises when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed due to plaque accumulation, leading to insufficient oxygen-rich blood flow. This condition is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Those with lower socioeconomic status face a higher risk, though prior research has shown mixed conclusions regarding whether certain unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, are the main contributors to the mortality differences observed.
In this latest study, the researchers analyzed data from 524,035 individuals aged 25 and older, whose death records were included in the National Death Index. They also utilized responses from the National Health Interview Survey, which gathered information on demographics and health habits. The study primarily measured socioeconomic status based on education levels and assessed four key behavioral risk factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and body mass index (BMI). Together, these four factors accounted for 74% of the variation in mortality risk from coronary artery disease among men from different socioeconomic groups and 61% among women.
According to the study, the findings stress the urgent need for effective public health strategies and programs that target these unhealthy behaviors both individually and collectively, especially since these habits tend to co-occur more frequently in individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The researchers advocate for public health campaigns that promote heart health with tailored messaging and outreach directed at both men and women. They emphasize, “These initiatives are essential for mitigating socioeconomic disparities in coronary artery disease deaths in the U.S.”
