Association of social determinants with the severity of congenital heart disease

Social inequities hurt babies’ hearts: a commentary on Forero-Manzano, MJ, et al.

“… 8 Women and children are disproportionately harmed by household air pollution. 9 The findings of the Forero-Manzano study 3 in Colombia are no exception to this global finding.…”

“…In the case of country of Colombia, Forero-Manzano, et al , showed that exposure to smoke from cooking woodstoves or from cigarettes was associated with the severity of congenital heart disease in babies from low-income families. 3 Their work adds to the mountains of evidence showing that exposure to air pollutants affects health in innumerable ways, 4 and babies’ hearts could be exquisitely sensitive to these effects, especially if they are born to low-income families. 2 …”

“…Forero-Manzano and colleagues also found an association between cigarette smoke and congenital heart disease among low-income families in Colombia. 3 Exposure to tobacco smoke during gestation continues to be a global health problem and it arises from both exposure to secondhand smoke and also from direct smoking during pregnancy. A recent meta-analysis of global trends in smoking during pregnancy found that most women who smoke daily continue to smoke after becoming pregnant.…”

“…The socioeconomic and environmental determinants of congenital heart disease that Forero-Manzano and colleagues 3 found in Colombia are a new example of the disproportionate burden of disease that low-income families endure around the world, in spite of so many medical advances in pediatric care. In the U.S. and other industrialized countries, medical interventions help people with congenital heart disease survive longer.…”

Towards Optimal Cardiovascular Health: A Comprehensive Review of Preventive Strategies

“…Moreover, the guideline stresses the importance of integrating social determinants of health into treatment plans to enhance recommendations for preventing ASCVD [8]. These recommendations underscore the significance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, comprising dietary habits, physical activity, and addressing other factors influencing CVD risk like obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and aspirin use [9]. The guideline emphasizes patient-centered care, integrating team-based care delivery, shared decision-making, and recognizing social determinants of health in ASCVD prevention efforts [8].…”