Effect of social deprivation on cardiovascular health

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Assessment of Cardiovascular health in the Black Country and its relationship to social deprivation

  • IRAS ID

    357995

  • Contact name

    Sunil Nadar

  • Contact email

    sunil.nadar@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    The American Heart association recently have issued a set of 8 parameters (referred to as the Life essential 8 - LE8) which predict cardiovascular health. This is a paradigm shift in approach, from one of prevention of disease to one of maintaining and promoting healthy life. These parameters give a score which is a measure of a persons cardivascular health (CVH). The parameters include body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood cholesterol, values along with a score for their dietary practices, exercise habits and sleep pattern.
    The Black Country has one of the highest levels of cardiovascular disease in the country. It is also ranked as the second most deprived region in the country. A high proportion of the population live in deprived areas of the region (ranging from 28% in Dudley to 60% in Sandwell), way above the national average of 20%.The Black Country region is also unique in its diverse ethnic and religious diversity. The aim of our study is to identify levels of cardiovascular health among the local population in two areas of the black country (Dudley and Sandwell). We also aim to identify which component of LE8 specifically, the population struggle with to achieve optimal levels of CVH. We aim to study how factors such as ethnicity, religion, social constructs (including access to health care) affect CVH with the intention of helping us set up mechanisms for targeted interventions to improve overall CVH.

  • REC name

    London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/PR/1443

  • Date of REC Opinion

    20 Jan 2026

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion