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. 2024 Apr;11(2):783-807.
doi: 10.1007/s40615-023-01561-1. Epub 2023 Mar 28.

Racial/Ethnic Discrimination and Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review

Osayande Agbonlahor  1   2 , Natasha DeJarnett  2   3 , Joy L Hart  4   5   6 , Aruni Bhatnagar  2   3   7 , Alison C McLeish  2   7   8 , Kandi L Walker  1   2   7
Affiliations

Racial/Ethnic Discrimination and Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review

Osayande Agbonlahor et al. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Racial discrimination has been identified as a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among racial/ethnic minority groups; however, there is no synthesis of current knowledge on the association between discrimination and cardiometabolic diseases. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize evidence linking racial/ethnic discrimination and cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods: The review was conducted based on studies identified via electronic searches of 5 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, WorldWideScience.org, ResearchGate and Microsoft Academic) using terms related to discrimination and cardiometabolic disease.

Results: Of the 123 eligible studies included in the review, 87 were cross-sectional, 25 longitudinal, 8 quasi-experimental, 2 randomized controlled trials and 1 case-control. Cardiometabolic disease outcomes discussed were hypertension (n = 46), cardiovascular disease (n = 40), obesity (n = 12), diabetes (n = 11), metabolic syndrome (n = 9), and chronic kidney disease (n = 5). Although a variety of discrimination measures was employed across the studies, the Everyday Discrimination Scale was used most often (32.5%). African Americans/Blacks were the most frequently studied racial/ethnic group (53.1%), and American Indians the least (0.02%). Significant associations between racial/ethnic discrimination and cardiometabolic disease were found in 73.2% of the studies.

Discussion: Racial/ethnic discrimination is positively associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic disease and higher levels of cardiometabolic biomarkers. Identifying racial/ethnic discrimination as a potential key contributor to the health inequities associated with cardiometabolic diseases is important for addressing the significant burden borne by racial/ethnic minorities.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Cardiometabolic disease; Health inequities; Racial/ethnic discrimination; Racism.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

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Fig. 1
Flow chart of article selection process
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