Two pioneering studies reveal alarming rates of high blood pressure among U.S. youth and young adults, highlighting the impact of social determinants like food insecurity and lack of health insurance. Findings suggest urgent need for targeted public health initiatives to mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks.
New research presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2024 has uncovered alarming rates of high blood pressure among young Americans. The studies underscore the pressing need to address social determinants impacting health to improve cardiovascular outcomes for both youth and young adults.
One study examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2017 and 2020 and found that nearly 23% of young adults aged 18-39 have high blood pressure (≥130/80 mm Hg).
“Social determinants of health are the social conditions arising from where people are born, live, learn, work and mature,” study author Thomas Alexander, an M.D.-candidate at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a news release. “Young adults with social needs and high blood pressure need more support to achieve blood pressure goals.”
The study highlighted that young adults with high blood pressure are more likely to be uninsured, food insecure and low-income compared to their older counterparts. Food insecurity affected 22% of young adults, a higher rate than that of middle-aged and older adults. Moreover, 17.5% of these young adults reported no health insurance, compared to much lower rates among older adults.
A second study focusing on 2,600 youths aged 8-19 revealed that 8.7% had elevated blood pressure, and 5.4% had high blood pressure according to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.
“Having more recent estimates is important,” study author Ahlia Sekkarie, an epidemiologist in the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, said in the news release. “Youth who have high blood pressure are more likely to have high blood pressure as adults, putting them at greater risk for heart disease and stroke.”
The elevated blood pressure rates were notably higher in youths with severe obesity and males compared to females. The study also found increases in rates with age, with 16.7% of 18-19-year-olds experiencing elevated blood pressure.
The findings from both studies strongly suggest the need for targeted public health strategies.
Bonita Falkner, chair of the writing committee for the American Heart Association’s 2023 scientific statement on pediatric hypertension, underscored the broader impact on families.
“The heightened risk is not limited to young adults because young adults commonly have children; and children of young adults who are uninsured, food insecure and have low income will represent another generation that will have similar health consequences of social determinants of health,” she said.
Given that high blood pressure during childhood and young adulthood often persists into later life, the studies advocate for policies and programs that ensure affordable health care, food security and economic stability. Such initiatives, the researchers argue, are essential to reducing the future burden of cardiovascular diseases.
As public health concerns mount, these findings provide a crucial call to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities alike. Addressing these social determinants is essential to mitigating long-term cardiovascular risks and improving health outcomes for future generations.