Factors related to cholesterol screening, cholesterol level awareness - United States, 1989

Article Abstract:

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), started in 1985 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, has worked to increase awareness of cholesterol levels and to promote screening for high blood cholesterol. To evaluate the extent to which screening and awareness vary among the states, data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System are presented. The information is gathered in random-digit-dialed telephone surveys of people 18 or older; in this context, they were asked whether they had had their cholesterol checked. If they had, they were then asked to tell what the level had been. The proportion of adults who had undergone such screening varied from 48 percent in Alabama and New Mexico to 64 percent in Connecticut, Florida, and Washington. However, the proportion of adults who knew the results was much lower, ranging between 12 percent (District of Columbia) and 33 percent (Washington). Women, older people, and more educated people had greater awareness and were more likely to have been screened. People with sedentary lifestyles or a smoking habit were less likely to know their cholesterol levels than people without these risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These figures represent increases between 1987 and 1989 in both awareness and screening frequencies. The NCEP goals include: measurement of cholesterol level at least once every five years; knowledge by people of their levels; and efforts to lower levels, if they are too high. The fact that younger people seem to have poorer awareness of the issue is potentially problematic, since atherosclerosis (deposition of fatty plaque on the walls of blood vessels, ultimately narrowing them) can begin in late adolescence. Awareness needs to be heightened among poor and minority people, too. The NCEP has designated September as National Cholesterol Education Month. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Surveys, Medical screening, Health screening, Blood cholesterol, Health behavior

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Homicide among young black males - United States, 1978-1987

Article Abstract:

Statistics are presented from the Centers for Disease Control concerning homicides among young black males (15-24), which constitute the leading cause of death for this group. The period studied ran from 1978-1987. In this period, 20,316 young black males died from homicide, making an average yearly rate of 73.1 per 100,000. Guns were responsible for the majority (78 percent) of these deaths, and for 96 percent of the increase in the yearly homicide rate between 1984 and 1987 (a 40 percent increase). Homicide rates among adolescents increased more than among men between 20 and 24. Yearly homicide rates were higher for young black males than young black females by factors of 4 to 5; than young white males, by factors of 5 to 8; and for young white females, by factors of 16 to 22. In five states (California, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New York) and the District of Columbia, the homicide rate among young black males was more than 100 per 100,000 in 1987. These areas alone accounted for 51 percent of the deaths attributable to homicide for this population. The reasons for homicide among young black males can include domestic violence, child abuse, rape, and fighting among acquaintances; more than half of all homicide victims know the person who kills them. Research is needed to learn more about why these rates are rising. Efforts to prevent violence with firearms are necessary, as is better understanding of the factors that promote homicide, such as alcohol and drugs. Risk factors need to be identified among poor urban youths. Few public health programs address the issue of homicide prevention. Communities can mount their own programs, and homicide reduction has been targeted as a major goal of national health objectives. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Patient outcomes, Mortality, Demographic aspects, Homicide, Blacks

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