Single Ethnicity Study Of High Blood Pressure And Local Neighborhood Environments In Parsi Population In Mumbai

Abstract

ABSTRACT The environment is dynamic and a changeable interface affecting health and disease susceptibility in populations. Environmental factors are of significance in public health because they are modifiable and preventable causes of diseases. Contemporary studies look at the comprehensive impact of the environment on health and recognize that Global Environmental Changes have a potentially larger influence human health and development. Local neighborhoods form a significant component of the general external exposome. Although we live in a globalized world, local neighborhoods, with their natural and built resources, remain influential on human health. The local neighborhood encompasses critical influences on lifestyle by affecting safety, access, physical or social activities, and belonging. High blood pressure is a common complex disease and a metabolic risk factor for morbidity and mortality among adults globally. Common complex diseases affect a large number of the global population, are chronic, can be inherited, are polygenic and involve environmental factors affecting lifestyle. High blood pressure is the single most significant risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. Apart from genetic factors, ageing and physiological effects of gender, the environment is the largest determinant of factors affecting blood pressure. A combination or single effect of a small number of the many environmental risk factors affect high blood pressure. Low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) bear a larger burden of the disease. The relation between local neighborhoods environments and high blood pressure in LMICs have not been studied. This study was directed toward exploring the impact of local neighborhoods in India, a middle-income country (MIC), on susceptibility to high blood pressure. The study was conducted in the Parsi population in Mumbai. Parsis are a founder population and the genetic stability in this population reduces the confounding actions of diverse genetics. 774 females and 756 males participated in the study. For all neighborhoods, the study had a gender-balanced and representative sample of the Parsi community in the age-group 19-53 years; who live in four distinct neighborhoods. Information on neighborhoods, socio-demographics known risk factors for high blood pressure were collected; height and weight of the participants were taken to calculate the body mass index (BMI); and two readings of their blood pressure were taken. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Local neighborhood environments had an impact on BMI and blood pressure.