Association Between Education Attainment and Hypertension Among Community-Dwelling Older Black and White Adults: The National Health & Trends Study

Abstract

Objective

Our study examined the association between educational attainment and hypertension among older Black and White adults.

Methods

A sample of older Black and White adults (N = 3,212) from the National Health & Aging Trends Study (NHATS). The predictor variable, educational attainment, was measured with three education categories (less than high school, high school or equivalent, and greater than high school). The dependent variable, hypertension, was measured by asking respondents if their doctor diagnosed them with hypertension. Covariates included demographics and health-related variables. We conducted logistic regressions to identify the association between educational attainment and hypertension.

Results

Adjusted stratified models showed that older Black adults with beyond high school educational attainment had 20% higher odds of having hypertension, compared to older Black adults with an educational attainment of high school and lower. Adjusted stratified models showed that older White adults had 8% lower odds of having hypertension, compared to older White adults with an educational attainment of high school and lower.

Conclusion

There are notable differences in hypertension among older Black and White adults which are associated with higher levels of educational attainment.

Keywords

older black adults black adults hypertension high blood pressure blood pressure educational attainment

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