Socioeconomic and Genetic Factors in Hispanic Vascular Disease Dr. David J. Demko, gerontologist and editor AgeVenture News Service 11-10-07 Hispanic-Americans receive fewer vascular surgeries than the general population. In some cases, those surgeries have questionable outcomes, raising issues about disparities in minority health care. Hispanics often seek treatment only after the disease has gotten much worse. Hispanic patients were two times more likely than whites to wait until the disease got much worse before seeking treatment. Why? Well, it appears to be the result of a combination of socioeconomic factors and genetic variations. The November 2007 Journal of Vascular Surgery reports on research undertaken by a vascular surgery team from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical College. Using medical records from hospitals, researchers looked at three common vascular surgery procedures to: restore blood supply to a body part, heart, or abdomin. The research concluded that Hispanic patients, compared to non-Hispanics, higher rates of surgical complications, greater risk of death, and spent more time in hospital recovery. The study also found that Hispanics traditionally rely on self-care instead of going to the doctor. Researchers think these tendencies may have a basis in genetic differences among minority and non-minority victims of vascular disease. Higher rates of diabetes, renal failure and hypertension were also found among Hispanic patients. The Hispanic population, say the researchers, represents the fastest growing minority in the United States. As the population grows and ages, doctors who practice vascular surgery need to take special precautions in treating the diverse health needs among the nation's multi-ethnic population. BACK TO TOP