A study presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025 has uncovered substantial 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 significant disparities in risk factors across different subgroups.
Key findings demonstrated remarkable variations in cardiovascular risk factors. 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. 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 the significance of the research, noting that AANHPI populations have historically been treated as a homogeneous group, which masks critical variations in disease burden and risk factors. The study highlights the need for more nuanced approaches to understanding and addressing cardiovascular health in diverse populations. Study co-author Alan S. Go suggested that the findings underscore the importance of regular monitoring of risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease among AANHPI 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. The findings challenge the common practice of grouping diverse populations together and instead advocate for more specific approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention. This study represents a significant step toward more equitable healthcare by identifying which subgroups face the greatest cardiovascular risks and require targeted interventions.
