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The Article in Brief
Vitamin D, Race, and Cardiovascular Mortality: Findings From a National US Sample
Kevin Fiscella , and colleagues
Background Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to cardiovascular disease. This study examines whether low vitamin D levels predict cardiovascular mortality among US adults and whether differences in vitamin D levels contribute to black-white differences in cardiovascular mortality after adjustments for age and sex.
What This Study Found Low levels of vitamin D are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in a nationally representative US sample. Higher cardiovascular risk among blacks is partly related to lower vitamin D levels as a result of decreased sun exposure and absorption, higher dermal melanin, and lower vitamin D intake.
Implications
- The authors call for further research to determine whether vitamin D supplementation might improve cardiovascular outcomes and existing health disparities.