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(Circulation. 2005;111:1204.)
© 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.

Editor's Note

Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM

Guest Editor, Circulation

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

Researchers and clinicians have made astonishing strides in cardiovascular disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The tremendous progress throws into stark contrast the disturbing persistence of disparities in cardiovascular disease risk factors, treatment, and outcome by ethnicity, race, socioeconomic conditions, and region. The causes of ethnic and racial disparities in cardiovascular disease are highly complex and incompletely understood. The American Heart Association and the Editorial Board of Circulation seek to encourage research and practice to reveal the causes, consequences, and effective initiatives to diminish ethnic and racial disparities in health care.

The present issue of Circulation includes the Executive Summary of the American Heart Association’s National Conference "Discovering the Full Spectrum of Cardiovascular Disease: The Minority Health Summit 2003." In addition, the issue features editorials and commentaries by thought leaders on approaches to eradicating ethnic and racial disparities in cardiovascular disease. The Editorial Board of Circulation solicited and is featuring original research that addresses ethnic and racial disparities. The original research provides valuable insights into ethnic and racial disparities in a wide range of cardiovascular disease fields, including: Epidemiology and health outcomes; subclinical disease (coronary artery calcification); clinical (coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and stroke) and interventional cardiology; surgery; pediatric cardiology; and international health. In addition, the issue includes a report by Becker and colleagues on a novel, effective, community-based intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease in high-risk American black families. The breadth and quality of submissions engenders cautious optimism that clinical, research, nonprofit, and government partners can . . . [Full Text of this Article]