# Understanding drivers of incident hypertension disparities among US Hispanics of diverse backgrounds

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $128,692

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the number one
cause of death in the United States (US). Among US Hispanics, a fast growing, diverse group, anticipated to
account for 29% of the US population by 2060, the epidemiology of hypertension remains inadequately
described. Currently, there are notable hypertension disparities across Hispanic backgrounds, with higher rates
of hypertension among US Hispanics from the Caribbean (Cubans, Dominicans, and Puerto Ricans) compared
with non-Caribbean Hispanics (Mexicans, Central, and South Americans). Reasons underlying these
disparities remain underexplored and unknown. The goal of this 4-year K01 project is to improve our
knowledge of the epidemiology and etiology of hypertension disparities among US Hispanics, using data from
a large population-based cohort of diverse US Hispanics. To do so, we determine whether key factors, that are
known to vary by Hispanic background, such as: genetic admixture (as a proxy for race), acculturation, and
modifiable health related factors, explain hypertension disparities across Hispanic backgrounds. This project
involves analysis of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), an on-going
prospective cohort of 6,160 hypertension-free US Hispanics aged 18 to 74 at the baseline examination in
2008-2011 and re-examined at follow-up in 2014-2017. The HCHS/SOL cohort includes US Hispanics of
Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and South American background residing in four
communities across the US. In Aim 1, we will determine whether African admixture explains disparities in rates
of hypertension between Caribbean and non-Caribbean Hispanics. In Aim 2 we will determine whether
acculturation explains disparities in rates of hypertension between Caribbean and non-Caribbean Hispanics. In
Aim 3, we will examine health related factors (e.g. diet, physical activity, smoking, and body mass index) as
determinants of hypertension disparities and estimate the number of hypertension cases averted under
simulated interventions that modify health related factors to recommended levels. The proposed analyses are
embedded in a training and mentoring plan that will advance my training in: 1) genetics including admixture
analysis, genetic epidemiology, and statistical genetics; 2) clinical aspects of hypertension and hypertension
etiologies; 3) health disparities research; 4) complex survey methodology; and 5) casual inference techniques
and simulation modeling for public health forecasting. My training plan will include formal courses, workshops,
attendance at scholarly seminars and scientific conferences, directed readings and professional development
activities specifically tailored to my training goals. Having the K01 support will provide the mentoring necessary
to establish myself as an independent investigator and will result in preliminary data that will feed i...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9986017
- **Project number:** 5K01MD014158-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Tali Elfassy
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $128,692
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9986017

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9986017, Understanding drivers of incident hypertension disparities among US Hispanics of diverse backgrounds (5K01MD014158-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9986017. Licensed CC0.

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