Let’s Take Aim at LDL-C!
October 1, 2024
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[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health, United States Spotlight: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Heart Disease. Retrieved Aug 3, 2023, from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/spotlight/HeartDiseaseSpotlight_2019_0404.pdf
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is arguably one of the most underappreciated public health crises and raising awareness of the impact of CVD on the Black community should be a top priority for policymakers.
Black Americans suffer consequences resulting from CVD at a higher rate than other racial and ethnic groups.[1] Several factors contribute to these disparities and outcomes, including higher rates of hypertension and obesity, lower awareness of personal risk factors, genetics, geographic location, community factors, and inequitable access to care.1,[2],[3],[4],[5]
Aiming for, and maintaining, an optimal low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol level, is one of the best ways for people with CVD to reduce their risk of cardiovascular events. However, structural and systemic factors perpetuate disparities in access to screenings, care, and treatment of CVD.[6]
Despite having a higher prevalence of CVD, Black Americans are less likely to receive timely screenings for high LDL-C, a big risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.[7],[8] Additionally, Black Americans who experience heart attacks are less likely to be prescribed appropriate treatment.[9]
Across the country, many patients encounter obstacles when seeking care for CVD, and these challenges can escalate when accounting for disparities in access. Understanding of, and adherence to, treatment guidelines can vary among clinicians, creating a need for awareness around the importance of guideline directed lipid management To that end, Amgen continues to host LDL-C Action Summits with key advocacy and society organizations to address the state of CVD care in the U.S. and discuss strategies and opportunities for improving lipid management among the highest risk people living with CVD.[10]
Initiatives such as the LDL-C Action Summit bring us one step closer to addressing the harsh realities of cardiovascular disease, but there is much more to be done collectively to meet Amgen’s ambition of halving the number of cardiovascular events by 2030.
National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) and the National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators (NAPACSL) adopted sponsored legislation that established September as National Cholesterol Education Month. This is an important step in encouraging local governments, including state departments of health, to make cardiovascular health a priority and ensure people have access to annual screenings. Amgen is looking forward to partnering with the California Chronic Care Coalition to educate and advocate for actions that can improve access to screenings, care, and the management of cardiovascular disease among Black Americans.
For more information, as well as to receive information about a free LDL-C test, visit WhatIsMyLDL.com.