Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40790770›Full record

ArticleBiology of sex differences2025

A comprehensive mixed-methods analysis of women's cardiovascular health needs in Georgia, United States.

Marlo Vernon, Brianna McIndoe, Michael J Ryan, Amanda Behr, Daria Ilatovskaya, Ananya Chakraborty, Suma Yellamraju, Ara Idun, Jennifer Sullivan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Biology of sex differences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Marlo VernonDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia Prevention Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA. mvernon@augusta.edu.
Brianna McIndoeGeorgia Prevention Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Michael J RyanDepartment of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, School of Medicine Columbia, University of South Carolina, Columbia VA Health Care System, Columbia, SC, USA.
Amanda BehrDepartment of Medical Illustration, College of Allied Health Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Daria IlatovskayaDepartment of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Ananya ChakrabortyMedical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Suma YellamrajuMedical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Ara IdunGeorgia Prevention Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Jennifer SullivanDepartment of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia and The Graduate School, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.

Funding

The Impact of Obesity and Leptin on the Development of Immune System Dysfunction and Hypertension in Females with Systemic Lupus ErythematousU54HL169191 · NHLBI · AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY · PI Jennifer C Sullivan · 2023 to 2026
$7.4M
NHLBI NIH HHS NHLBI U54 HL169191NHLBI NIH HHS U54 HL169191
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

aimsIn the United States, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among both men and women; CVD and associated risk factors particularly affect women who live in rural areas. This mixed-methods analysis aims to explore cardiovascular health (CVH) risk factors and healthcare experiences among women in rural Georgia, to identify barriers to care, and to inform strategies for improving long-term health outcomes in rural communities.

methodsA convergent mixed methods design was utilized to evaluate CVH prevalence and associated environmental risk factors among women living in rural GA. Quantitative data from 159 Georgia counties were analyzed to compare rural and urban rates of CVD-related conditions and healthcare provider availability. Comparative analyses were performed between counties, urban and rural areas, and on sex differences. Concurrently, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 56 women and 11 healthcare providers to explore knowledge of blood pressure (BP) management, access to preventive services, and barriers to care. Qualitative and quantitative findings were analyzed separately and integrated during interpretation.

resultsRural counties have significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity and stroke. General trends revealed higher rates of smoking, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption in rural counties compared to rates in urban counties of GA. Qualitative themes revealed affordability concerns, communication challenges between patients and providers, limited trust in telehealth, and the importance of delivering CVH education in community-based settings. Differences by age were also observed: younger women expressed less concern or awareness about CVH risks, while older women described greater engagement with care and health information. While the original aim included gaps in awareness and education, participants primarily described navigating systemic barriers across the care continuum.

conclusionRural women face individual, provider, and structural barriers to cardiovascular health and care. This unique study identifies chronic disease disparities and risk factors, with a higher disease burden observed in rural counties. Contributing factors may include limited resources for promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and reduced access to healthcare providers. Integrated findings underscore the need for sex- and gender- informed, age-specific, and community tailored strategies that address both health system access, and communication to improve CVH outcomes in underserved rural populations.

Indexed as

Cardiovascular DiseasesWomen's HealthAdultAgedFemaleGeorgiaHealth Services AccessibilityHumansMiddle AgedRisk FactorsRural Population

Identifiers

PMID40790770
PMCPMC12337531

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.