Predictors of hypertension among Filipino immigrants in the Northeast US

J Community Health. 2013 Oct;38(5):847-55. doi: 10.1007/s10900-013-9689-6.

Abstract

Hypertension remains disproportionately high among Filipinos compared to other racial and ethnic minority populations, and little research on cardiovascular disease risk factors has been conducted among Filipino immigrants in the Northeastern part of the United States. To determine hypertension prevalence and risk factors among Filipino Americans in the New York City area, blood pressure and other clinical measurements were taken from a sample of Filipino Americans during 119 community health screenings conducted between 2006 and 2010. Additional socio-demographic and health-related characteristics were also collected via a cross-sectional survey. A total of 1,028 Filipino immigrants completed the survey and had clinical readings collected. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression were performed in order to predict and assess risk factors for hypertension among our sample. Fifty-three percent of individuals were hypertensive, and half of hypertensive individuals were uninsured. Logistic regression indicated that older age, male gender, living in the United States for over 5 years, a BMI greater than 23.0 kg/m(2), an elevated glucose reading, a family history of hypertension, and fair or poor self-reported health status were predictors of hypertension. There is a great need to develop more effective community-based interventions in the Filipino community to address cardiovascular health disparities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Asian*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / ethnology*
  • Language
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New Jersey / epidemiology
  • New York / epidemiology
  • Philippines / ethnology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Young Adult