Race/ethnicity, neighborhood socioeconomic status and cardio-metabolic risk

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) and cardio-metabolic risk and whether this relationship differs by race/ethnicity. METHODS: Participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (n = 5750), ages 45–84 years, from 6 US counties, including 5 examinations from 2000 to 2012. We calculated a modified allostatic load (AL) index, indicating cardio-metabolic risk. NSES score included census-derived measures at census tract of residence. Mixed effects growth curve models were used to assess linear and non-linear associations between NSES and AL at baseline and over time. RESULTS: Higher NSES was associated with lower AL across race/ethnic groups; considering NSES quintiles, significant associations were found only for the highest NSES quintiles (difference of -0.86 and -1.15 for white and Hispanic participants) vs. the lowest. We found no significant association between NSES and change in AL over time. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that the relationship between NSES and AL reflects the health benefits of living in the most advantaged neighborhoods. PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Understanding the impact of higher NSES on health effects may help identify interventions to effectively target high risk neighborhoods.