Ana V. Diez?Roux|Bruce G. Link|Mary E. Northridge
A multilevel analysis of income inequality and cardiovascular disease risk factors
Columbia University|New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute|Columbia University|Harlem Hospital Center
recent research suggested inequality distribution income associated increased mortality even accounting average income levels using data behavioral risk factor surveillance system brfss investigated whether inequality distribution income within us states related prevalence four cardiovascular disease risk factors body mass index bmi history hypertension sedentarism smoking multilevel models including statelevel individuallevel variables used examine associations state inequality risk factor levels adjustment individuallevel income three four risk factors investigated bmi hypertension sedentarism state inequality associated increased risk factor levels particularly low income levels annual household incomes 25000 associations persisting adjustment individuallevel income inequality also positively associated smoking associations either stronger present higher income levels associations inequality outcomes statistically significant women men although conclusive findings three four risk factors suggestive contextual effect income inequality particularly among persons lower incomes