AARPSegundaJuventud HispanicHeartHealthStudy September2008
AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study Omni Survey fieldwork done by ICR. This summary was prepared by Tracy Needham, Princess Jones, and Corie Hawks, Member Value Research. For more information or to request additional copies of this summary, please contact Tracy Needham at 202 434-6322. Xenia Montenegro provided management review.
Table of Contents Executive Summary and Implications. 1 Methodology 2 Detailed Findings 3 Warning Signs of Heart Disease. 3 Diagnosed Heart Condition.. 4 Managing Heart Condition 4 Concern about Developing Heart Disease. 4 Heart Condition Prevention.. 5 Sources of Heart Health Information.. 6 Appendix A: Annotated Questionnaire.. 7
Executive Summary and Implications AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study A majority of Hispanics ages 40 and older in our survey say that they think they know the warning signs of heart disease. Respondents most frequently mention what are considered the most commonly known warning signs of a heart condition - chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and pain in other areas such as arms, upper abdomen, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Eight percent say that they have a diagnosed heart condition. The majority of them are able to get the treatment they need through their health insurance. Most of those with a diagnosed heart condition are taking steps to manage it. Nearly all are trying to prevent or control high blood pressure, trying to lower their cholesterol, lose weight, or prevent or control diabetes. Hispanics ages 40 and older currently without a heart condition are willing to do a variety of things to help prevent a heart condition from developing in the future. Nearly all are willing to eat a heart healthy diet, lower cholesterol, prevent or control high blood pressure, exercise regularly, prevent or control diabetes, ease stress, or lose weight. Hispanics say that they would seek information on preventing or managing a heart condition from a general practice doctor or a hospital. Implications Among Hispanics ages 40 and older, education regarding heart disease management and prevention - is key. A majority of Hispanics in our survey think that they know the warning signs of heart disease and for the most part they do know the key warning signs of a heart condition. However, there is still onequarter of Hispanics in our survey who were unable to name any symptoms indicating that more information is needed to educate all Hispanics ages 40 and older. Few respondents in our survey have a diagnosed heart condition but among those who do, they are actively trying to manage their condition through a variety of measures. Again, more education dealing with what to do and how to do it would be helpful. Respondents currently without a diagnosed heart condition are split on their concern about developing one in the future less than half are concerned (40%) and a little more than half are not (58%). However, they are willing to take action to prevent a heart condition. Stressing the importance of prevention is important AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study, November 2007 1
for doctors and other health care providers to convey to this group, especially those under 65. This is especially true since Hispanics say they would turn to their doctor for information on preventing or managing a heart condition. Methodology This survey was conducted in two waves. The original survey was fielded in October 2007 with a follow-up study conducted in September 2008. Both sets of data are presented in the tables and annotated questionnaire, while the text reflects only the most current results. The September 2008 study was conducted for AARP via telephone by ICR, an independent research company using their Hispanic Excel survey. Interviews were conducted from September 9-22, 2008, among a representative sample of 555 Hispanic respondents 40 years of age or older. The margin of error is +4.45 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. The first wave the survey conducted October 9 to 23, 2007 was among a representative sample of 484 Hispanic respondents 40 years of age or older. The margin of error is +4.45 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. The annotated questionnaire which reflects results of both waves of this survey is located at the end of this summary in Appendix A. In this report, unless otherwise noted, the total survey sample size is Hispanics ages 40 and older (n= 555). AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study, November 2007 2
Warning Signs of Heart Disease Detailed Findings AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study A majority of Hispanics ages 40 and older (68%) say that they think they know the warning signs of heart disease. Respondents with incomes of $25,000 or more annually are more likely to say that they think that they know the warning signs of heart disease than those with incomes below $25,000. The most frequently mentioned warning signs of a heart condition are chest pain or discomfort (55%), pain in other areas such as arms, upper abdomen, back, neck, jaw, or stomach (31%) and shortness of breath (27%). About one in five say that they do not know the warning signs of a heart condition (21%). Table 1 Warning Signs of a Heart Condition Total mentions Warning Signs 10/23/07 9/22/08 Chest pain or discomfort 45% 55% Shortness of breath 22 27 Pain or discomfort in arm(s), upper abdomen, back, neck, 22 31 jaw, or stomach High blood pressure 11 15 Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg 11 14 Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles, leg pain 7 10 High cholesterol 6 6 Breaking into a sweat 6 4 Nausea 4 6 Obesity 4 3 Dizziness, confusion, trouble speaking 4 8 Trouble walking, loss of coordination 3 4 Vision problems 3 * Heredity 2 2 Diabetes 2 2 Paleness 2 2 Sudden severe headache 1 1 Excess stress 1 2 Other 9 10 Don t know/refused 25 22 Question 2: What are the warning signs of a heart condition? Unaided, summary of first three responses. AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study, November 2007 3
Diagnosed Heart Condition Survey results show that eight percent, or 44 respondents, have a diagnosed heart condition themselves. Nearly one-third (31%) say that an immediate family member has been diagnosed with a heart condition. Managing Heart Condition The majority, but not all, of the 44 respondents with a diagnosed heart condition say that they are able to get the treatment they need for their heart condition through their health insurance 86 percent say they are getting the treatment they need. About one in ten (11%) say that their insurance company has denied them treatment for their condition. 1 Most of the 47 Hispanics ages 40 and older with a diagnosed heart condition are actively taking steps to manage it. Nearly all are trying to prevent or control high blood pressure (90%). About eight in ten are trying to lower their cholesterol (89%), lose weight (86%), or prevent or control diabetes (83%). Majorities are taking other steps. See the table below. Table 2 Managing Their Heart Condition Action to Manage Heart Condition 10/23/07 (n=47) 9/22/08 (n=44) Trying to prevent or control high blood pressure 99% 90% Trying to lower cholesterol 86 89 Trying to lose weight 83 86 Trying to prevent or control diabetes 82 83 Eating a heart healthy diet 77 90 Trying to ease stress 76 75 Exercising regularly 71 62 Moderating alcohol use 66 74 Beginning an aspirin regimen 61 74 Quit smoking, if applicable 33 48 Question 4: Are you currently doing any of the following to help manage your heart condition? N= 44 Hispanics who have been diagnosed with a heart condition Concern about Developing Heart Disease We asked those without heart disease how concerned they are about the possibility of developing a heart condition in the future. Respondents are split with about half saying that they concerned either very (21%) or somewhat (19%) and about half unconcerned. 1 It is possible that some respondents do not currently have health insurance. AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study, November 2007 4
Heart Condition Prevention Hispanics ages 40 and older currently without a heart condition are willing to do a variety of things to help prevent a heart condition from developing in the future. Nearly all are willing to eat a heart healthy diet (94%) and exercise regularly (91%). Table 3 Steps to Prevent a Heart Condition Action to Prevent Heart Condition 10/23/07 (n=437) 9/22/08 (n=508) Eating a heart healthy diet 92% 94% Exercising regularly 91 91 Trying to lower cholesterol 86 93 Trying to ease stress 86 89 Trying to prevent or control high blood pressure 85 92 Trying to prevent or control diabetes 84 90 Trying to lose weight 82 88 Beginning an aspirin regimen 67 68 Moderating alcohol use 65 79 Quit smoking, if applicable 46 57 Question 8: Would you be willing to do any of the following to help prevent a heart condition? N = 511 not diagnosed with a heart condition. AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study, November 2007 5
Sources of Heart Health Information We asked Hispanics where they would turn to get information on preventing or managing a heart condition. Over two-thirds say that they would see a general practice doctor or other medical professional for information on prevention or management of a heart condition (70%). About two in five would seek this information at a hospital (41%). One-quarter would use the Internet to find information (24%). Table 4 Information Sources Total mentions Sources of Heart Health Information 10/23/07 9/22/08 Doctor/medical professional 65% 70% Hospital 38 41 Internet 20 24 Cardiologist 14 12 Other heart-related/health-related association organization 6 6 Books 6 17 Family 5 5 American Heart Association 4 4 Senior center 2 3 Friends 2 3 Insurance company 1 1 Other 9 13 Don t know/refused 5 5 Question 9: Where would you go for information on preventing or managing a heart condition? Unaided, summary of first three responses AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Heart Health Study, November 2007 6
Annotated Questionnaire 7
Annotated Questionnaire The 2007 and 2008 studies were conducted for AARP via telephone by ICR, an independent research company. For the 2008 wave, Interviews were conducted between September 9-22, 2008 among a representative sample of 555 Hispanic respondents 40 years of age or older. The margin of error is +/-4.16% at the 95% confidence level. The first wave the survey conducted October 9 to 23, 2007 was among a representative sample of 484 Hispanic respondents 40 years of age or older. The margin of error is +4.45 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. HI-1 Do you think you know the warning signs of heart disease? 9/22/08 68 30 2 * 10/23/07 64 35 1 -- 8
HI-2 What are the warning signs of a heart condition? 9/22/08 First Second Third Total Mentions n= 555 411 365 555 Any (NET) NA NA NA 78 Heredity * * 1 2 Chest pain or discomfort 32 21 9 55 Pain or discomfort in arm(s), upper 12 18 6 31 abdomen, back, neck, jaw, or stomach Shortness of breath 14 9 8 27 Breaking into a sweat 1 2 2 4 Nausea 1 3 4 6 Leg issues: swelling in the legs, feet, and 2 6 5 10 ankles, leg pain High blood pressure 6 3 9 15 High cholesterol 2 4 2 6 Paleness * 2 1 2 Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or 2 9 6 14 leg Vision problems * * * * Dizziness, confusion, trouble speaking or 1 4 6 8 understanding Trouble walking, loss of balance or * 2 3 4 coordination Sudden, severe headache * * 1 1 Diabetes 1 * 1 2 Obesity 1 1 1 3 Excess stress * * 2 2 Other 2 4 9 10 None/no others -- 3 11 -- Don t know 21 6 13 21 Refused 1 1 -- 1 9
10/23/07 First Second Third Total Mentions n= 484 338 253 484 Any (NET) * * * 75 Heredity 1 1 * 2 Chest pain or discomfort 30 14 8 45 Pain or discomfort in arm(s), upper 9 13 5 22 abdomen, back, neck, jaw, or stomach Shortness of breath 11 8 10 22 Breaking into a sweat 1 2 5 6 Nausea 2 2 1 4 Leg issues: swelling in the legs, feet, and 2 4 4 7 ankles, leg pain High blood pressure 5 6 3 11 High cholesterol 3 2 3 6 Paleness -- 1 1 2 Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or 4 8 4 11 leg Vision problems 1 1 3 3 Dizziness, confusion, trouble speaking or * 3 3 4 understanding Trouble walking, loss of balance or 1 1 3 3 coordination Sudden, severe headache * * 2 1 Diabetes * 1 * 2 Obesity 2 1 3 4 Excess stress * 1 1 1 Other 2 6 7 9 None/no others -- 20 27 -- Don t know 24 5 8 24 Refused 1 -- -- 1 HI-3 Have you or has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with a heart condition? Yes, self Yes, immediate family member Both No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 8 31 * 60 * -- 10/23/07 9 26 1 64 1 -- 10
(Asked of Total Hispanics who have been diagnosed with a heart Condition; Total n = 47) HI-4 Are you currently doing any of the following to help manage your heart condition? a. Trying to ease stress 9/22/08 75 25 -- -- 10/23/07 76 15 9 -- b. Trying to lose weight 9/22/08 86 14 -- -- 10/23/07 83 17 -- -- c. Exercising regularly 9/22/08 62 38 -- -- 10/23/07 71 29 -- -- d. Eating a heart healthy diet 9/22/08 90 10 -- -- 10/23/07 77 23 -- -- e. Trying to prevent or control high blood pressure 9/22/08 90 10 -- -- 10/23/07 99 1 -- -- f. Trying to prevent or control diabetes 9/22/08 83 17 * -- 10/23/07 82 14 3 -- g. Trying to lower cholesterol 9/22/08 89 8 3 -- 10/23/07 86 14 -- -- h. Beginning an aspirin regimen 9/22/08 74 26 -- -- 10/23/07 61 37 2 -- 11
i. Moderating alcohol use 9/22/08 74 22 3 1 10/23/07 66 32 1 1 j. Quit smoking Do not Yes No smoke/not Applicable Don t know Refused 9/22/08 48 21 31 -- -- 10/23/07 33 16 52 -- -- (Asked of Total Hispanics who have been diagnosed with a heart Condition; Total n = 47) HI-5 Are you able to get the treatment you need for your heart condition through your health insurance? 9/22/08 86 11 3 -- 10/23/07 79 21 -- -- (Asked of Total Hispanics who have been diagnosed with a heart Condition; Total n = 47) HI-6 Has your insurance company ever denied you treatment for this condition? 9/22/08 11 87 2 -- 10/23/07 2 95 1 2 (Asked of Total Hispanics who have not been diagnosed with a heart Condition; Total n = 508) HI-7 How concerned are you about developing a heart condition in the future? CONCERNED NOT CONCERNED NET Very concerned Somewhat concerned NET A little concerned Not at all concerned Don t know Refused 9/22/08 40 21 19 58 25 33 1 * 10/23/07 48 23 25 50 12 38 2 -- 12
(Asked of Total Hispanics who have not been diagnosed with a heart Condition; Total n = 508) HI-8 Would you be willing to do any of the following to help prevent a heart condition? a. Ease stress Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 89 9 1 1 10/23/07 86 13 1 * b. Lose weight Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 88 12 1 -- 10/23/07 82 18 * * c. Exercise regularly Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 91 9 * * 10/23/07 91 9 * * d. Eat a heart healthy diet Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 94 5 1 * 10/23/07 92 8 -- * e. Prevent or control high blood pressure Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 92 7 2 * 10/23/07 85 14 * -- f. Prevent or control diabetes Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 90 10 1 * 10/23/07 84 15 1 -- 13
g. Lower cholesterol Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 93 5 2 * 10/23/07 86 13 * * h. Begin an aspirin regimen Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 68 26 6 -- 10/23/07 67 29 4 1 i. Moderate alcohol use Yes, willing / Yes, already do this No Don t know Refused 9/22/08 79 18 2 1 10/23/07 65 32 3 1 j. Quit smoking Yes, willing/ Yes, already do this Do not smoke/not Applicable Don t No know 9/22/08 57 13 29 1 -- 10/23/07 46 20 34 * * Refused 14
HI-9 Where would you go for information on preventing or managing a heart condition? 9/22/08 First Second Third Total Mentions n= 555 511 361 555 Any (NET) -- -- -- 95 Cardiologist 3 5 6 12 Doctor/medical professional (general 47 22 4 70 not a cardiologist) Family 1 2 4 5 Friends * 1 3 3 American Heart Association 2 2 1 4 Other heart-related/health-related 1 3 3 6 association or organization Hospital 24 13 8 41 Internet 10 11 6 24 Books 2 4 17 17 Insurance company * * 1 1 Senior Center * 1 3 3 Other 3 4 11 13 None/no others -- 15 16 -- Don t know 5 16 18 5 Refused * * * * 10/23/07 First Second Third Total Mentions n= 484 447 243 484 Any (NET) * * * 95 Cardiologist 4 7 6 14 Doctor/medical professional (general 49 13 7 65 not a cardiologist) Family 2 2 2 5 Friends * * 2 2 American Heart Association * 2 2 4 Other heart-related/health-related 3 1 4 6 association or organization Hospital 24 14 3 38 Internet 9 8 5 20 Books 2 3 3 6 Insurance company * 1 -- 1 Senior Center * 1 2 2 Other 2 4 9 9 None/no others * 33 38 * Don t know 5 10 17 5 Refused * 1 -- * 15