Wealthy Americans more likely to benefit from statin therapy than poor

Wealthy Americans more likely to benefit from statin therapy than poor

OCTOBER 1, 2009 | Michael O'Riordan

Philadelphia, PA - Since the introduction of statin therapy, disparities in cholesterol levels have shifted dramatically, according to the results of a new study, with richer Americans more likely to have lower total- and LDL-cholesterol levels than those with less money [1].

"While the more advantaged were once more likely to have high levels of cholesterol and LDL, they are now definitively less likely," according to lead author Dr Virginia Chang (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia) and Dr Diane Lauderdale (University of Chicago, IL). "While statins hold great promise for improving cardiovascular health, it appears they may have contributed to expanding social disparities in cardiovascular risk."

Publishing their results in the September 2009 issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, the authors note that while mortality declined in the 20th century and while causes of death and various risk factors shifted dramatically, socioeconomic status remains persistently associated with age-specific mortality. They note that "fundamental cause theory" suggests this association between health status and socioeconomic status persists over time because it "involves access to important resources that allow individuals to avoid diseases and their consequences."/.../