Publication year: 2011
Source: Social Science & Medicine, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 21 July 2011
Karen A, Matthews , Joseph E, Schwartz , Sheldon, Cohen
Few studies have investigated the association of socioeconomic status (SES) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) and only one study has examined African Americans separately from Caucasians, despite empirical evidence suggesting that blacks have equivalent or lower CAC, relative to whites. We tested the hypotheses that lower childhood SES and lower average education, occupation, and income and change in SES (slope) in adulthood are related to risk of CAC in blacks and whites in the US CARDIA study. Parental education and occupation were measured at study entry (Year 0 in 1985-1986) and participant education, occupation, and household income were evaluated multiple…
Highlights: ► Lower childhood SES, adjusted for adult SES, predicts coronary calcification. ► Lower adult SES predicts coronary calcification, especially in blacks. ► Improving occupational status in blacks may be a key public health intervention.