![]() 2010 Vitale, Mendelsohn, and Rosano 2009). The biological factors include sex hormones, chromosomal differences, and other biological sex differences that are protective against hypertension in women ( Sandberg and Ji 2012 Vitale et al. Observed gender differences in hypertension, which exist in human and animal populations, are due to both biological and behavioral factors ( Sandberg and Ji 2012). This difference is particularly pronounced in early adulthood-for instance, one study found that among 18- to 29-year-old white adults, just 1.5 percent of women but over 5 percent of men reported hypertension (for black women and men, the proportions were 4% and 10%, respectively) ( Cutler et al. ![]() Several studies have shown that men younger than 65 consistently have higher levels of hypertension compared to women of the same age group. Rates of hypertension in the United States have increased or persisted over the last several decades both among the elderly and among young adults ( Hajjar and Kotchen 2003). Gender Differences in Hypertension and Hypertension Risk Factors In this study we have two research aims: (1) to document emerging gender disparities in hypertension among a sample of young adults and (2) to examine gender disparities in hypertension awareness. Using data from the fourth wave of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examine gender differences in hypertension and hypertension awareness among young U.S. men and women often originate in early adulthood, determining gender patterns in hypertension and hypertension awareness and what factors contribute to these patterns in this life stage is critical for improving hypertension control and reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Given that high hypertension prevalence and low hypertension awareness among U.S. Few studies, however, have examined gender differences in hypertension or hypertension awareness among young adults and the determinants of these differences. While hypertension prevalence is highest in older populations, almost 20 percent of young adults are hypertensive ( Nguyen et al. 2008 Hayes and Taler 1998 Sandberg and Ji 2012 Vitale et al. ![]() 2007) and known differences between men and women ( Cutler et al. Despite decades of public health education, hypertension awareness remains problematic, with only about two-thirds of adults and the elderly aware of their hypertension status ( Ong et al. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and mortality ( Ezzati et al. ![]() The findings thus suggest that regular medical visits are critical for improving hypertension awareness among young adults and reducing gender disparities in cardiovascular health. In particular, health care use, while not related to the actual hypertension status, fully explains the gender differences in hypertension awareness. Finally, this study identifies key factors that contribute to these observed gender disparities. The results also reveal very low levels of hypertension awareness among young women (32% of hypertensive women were aware of their status) and even lower levels among men (25%). Our results show that the gender disparities in hypertension status were already evident among men and women in their twenties: women were far less likely to be hypertensive compared to men (12% vs. young adults, with special focus on factors that may contribute to observed disparities (N = 14,497). Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), this study examines gender differences in hypertension and hypertension awareness among U.S. Previous research has shown that men have higher levels of hypertension and lower levels of hypertension awareness than women, but it remains unclear if these differences emerge among young adults. ![]()
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