A study presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025 has identified significant differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations. Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research analyzed health records from 2012 through 2022, examining approximately 700,000 adults in California and Hawaii. The study, known as PANACHE (Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian and Asian American Cardiovascular Health Epidemiology), revealed that treating these populations as a homogeneous group masks critical variations in disease burden and risk factors.
The research demonstrated remarkable variations in cardiovascular risk factors across different subgroups. High blood pressure prevalence ranged from 12% in Chinese adults to 30% in Filipino adults. Obesity rates varied dramatically, from 11% in Vietnamese adults to 41% in Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults. Type 2 diabetes prevalence also showed substantial differences, ranging from 5% in Chinese adults to 14% in Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults. These findings underscore the importance of regular monitoring of risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease among these populations.
The researchers used the American Heart Association's PREVENT risk calculator to estimate 10-year cardiovascular event risks. The analysis found that Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults, along with Filipino, South Asian, and other Southeast Asian populations, had higher predicted risks compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Lead study author Rishi V. Parikh emphasized that these populations have historically been treated as a homogeneous group, which obscures important health disparities. The study highlights the need for more nuanced approaches to understanding and addressing cardiovascular health in diverse populations.
The research has important implications for healthcare providers and public health professionals, demonstrating the necessity of tailored prevention strategies that recognize the unique health characteristics of different Asian American and Pacific Islander subgroups. Study co-author Alan S. Go suggested that the findings point to the importance of culturally appropriate interventions and targeted screening programs. The study's comprehensive approach to examining cardiovascular health across multiple subgroups provides valuable data for developing more effective public health initiatives and clinical guidelines that account for the diversity within these populations.
