Cardiovascular disease risk in immigrants : What is the evidence and where are the gaps?
- Authors: Dassanayake, Jayantha , Gurrin, Lyle , Payne, Warren , Sundararajan, Vijaya , Dharmage, Shyamali
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health Vol. 23, no. 6 (2011), p. 882-895
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: This study systematically reviewed the peer-reviewed literature to establish morbidity and mortality from myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke among immigrant populations. Methods: The review considered only studies published between 1986 and 2008 that provided data on MI or stroke morbidity/mortality among first-generation immigrants. A prespecified search strategy identified 58 studies for possible inclusion. Of these, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Results: Immigrant MI mortality and morbidity varied by host country with no consistent pattern from one country or region. However, there was an overall trend for increasing risk of MI among immigrants worldwide. Chinese and African immigrants had consistently higher stroke mortality. Conclusion: MI and stroke incidence and prevalence among first-generation immigrants are related to both genetic and environmental factors, but the relative contribution of each is unclear. Prospective studies are needed to identify genetic and behavioral characteristics associated with stroke among Chinese immigrant populations. © 2011 Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health.
Is country of birth a risk factor for acute hospitalization for cardiovascular disease in Victoria, Australia?
- Authors: Dassanayake, Jayantha , Gurrin, Lyle , Payne, Warren , Sundararajan, Vijaya , Dharmage, Shyamali
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health Vol. 23, no. 3 (2011), p. 280-287
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- Reviewed:
- Description: International mortality studies show that some subgroups of migrants have a higher risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) than the native-born. To investigate whether country of birth increases the risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cerebral infarction (stroke) hospitalization in Victoria, Australia. A retrospective analysis of Victorian AMI (ICD-10-AM codes I21 and I22) and stroke (ICD-10-AM I63 and I64) discharges from routinely collected hospital data in 2001-2002 was conducted. The outcome measures were directly age standardized rate ratios (RRs) of AMI and stroke hospitalization, calculated using 2001 Australian census data, with the Australian-born as the reference group. Males from 4 ethnic groups - USSR/Baltic; Southern Asia; Middle East; and Eastern Europe, displayed higher risk for AMI hospitalization than Australian-born men, whereas males and females from Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia were at lower risk. Furthermore, males from Western Europe and females from the Pacific were also at lower risk. Females from the Middle East, Southern Asia, and Southern Europe were at higher risk of stroke hospitalization than Australian-born women; in contrast, males from Eastern Europe, NorthAsia, Southern Asia, Southern Europe, and the United Kingdom and Ireland were at lower risk. Risk for AMI and stroke hospitalization varies by country of birth in comparison with the Australian-born population. It will be import to identify the factors associated with these varying risks in order to target preventive strategies aimed at reducing risk of AMI and stroke. © 2011 APJPH.
Are immigrants at risk of heart disease in Australia? A systematic review
- Authors: Dassanayake, Jayantha , Dharmage, Shyamali , Gurrin, Lyle , Sundararajan, Vijaya , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Health Review Vol. 33, no. 3 (2009), p. 479-491
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- Reviewed:
- Description: We systematically reviewed the peer-reviewed literature to establish the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among immigrants in Australia and whether being an immigrant is a CVD risk factor. Of 23 studies identified, 12 were included. Higher prevalence of CVD was found among Middle Eastern, South Asian and some European immigrants. Higher prevalence of CVD risk factors was found among Middle Eastern and Southern European immigrants. Higher alcohol consumption was found among immigrants from New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Smoking and physical inactivity were highly prevalent among most immigrants.