Cardiovascular Risk Factor Clusters and Employment in the United States

ObjectiveThe prevalence of cardiovascular disease is increasing dramatically partially because of the alarming rise in overweight/obesity, diabetes, and related cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. These risk factors are often preventable and usually cluster together. The purpose of this study was to examine and quantify the impact of cardiovascular risk factor clusters (CVRFC) on employment in the United States.MethodsUsing the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the current research estimated the likelihood of employment and the impact on annual wages using a recursive bivariate probit model and a Heckman selection model, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, marital status, and geographic region. CVRFC included body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 or BMI ≥ 30 with two of the following three: diabetes, hyperlipidemia and/or hypertension. All estimates were expressed in 2005 US dollars.ResultsUnadjusted analyses suggest that less than half of individuals with CVRFC were employed compared with 74% on average in the United States. Results of the bivariate probit analysis suggested that individuals with CVRFC were 40% (using BMI ≥ 25) and 45% (BMI ≥ 30) less likely to be employed than those without.ConclusionsCommon CVRFC have a significant deleterious impact on employment in the United States. Employers, medical professionals, and public health programs need to address this problem and institute treatment strategies and prevention efforts to mitigate the deleterious impact on societal productivity in the United States.