伦敦国王学院对超过8500名成人30年的数据分析显示，黑人非洲和加勒比裔背景人群的卒中风险因素正以快于白人的速度上升[1]。具体而言，黑人非洲裔患者的卒中患病率为12%，是白人6%的两倍[1]。在糖尿病患病率方面，黑人加勒比裔和黑人非洲裔人群约为白人的两倍[1]，其中黑人非洲裔的糖尿病患病率从1995-2004年的21%上升至2015-2024年的41%[1]。高血压在黑人加勒比裔中的患病率高出白人29%，在黑人非洲裔中高出47%[1]。
研究指出，黑人非洲裔人群更可能在未诊断风险因素的情况下中风[1]。英国NHS的健康检查从40岁开始，但高风险人群通常在更年轻时就会出现卒中风险因素[1]。研究呼吁对高风险群体实施更早期、有针对性的预防措施。研究人员表示，"太多来自黑人非洲和黑人加勒比社区的人以及生活在更贫困环境中的人更早地出现卒中风险因素"[1]。社会经济地位和职业类型也显著影响风险水平，手工职业人群和教育水平较低人群的糖尿病患病率分别比对应人群高23%和21%[1]。
A 30-year analysis of data from over 8,500 adults by King's College London reveals that stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes are increasing at a faster rate among Black African and Black Caribbean populations compared to white people [1]. Black African patients have a stroke prevalence rate of 12 percent, double that of white people at 6 percent [1], and are more likely to experience a stroke without having had their underlying risk factors diagnosed [1].
The research found significant disparities in disease prevalence across racial groups. Diabetes rates among Black Caribbean and Black African populations are approximately twice those of white people, while hypertension prevalence is 29 percent higher in Black Caribbean communities and 47 percent higher in Black African communities [1]. Notably, diabetes prevalence among Black African individuals has surged from 21 percent between 1995 and 2004 to 41 percent between 2015 and 2024 [1]. The study also identified socioeconomic factors contributing to increased risk, with people in manual occupations having diabetes rates 23 percent higher than those in non-manual roles, and those with lower education levels showing 21 percent higher prevalence [1].
The findings underscore a public health concern, with one in six people in the UK experiencing a stroke during their lifetime [1]. Researchers note that current NHS health checks begin at age 40, yet high-risk populations typically develop stroke risk factors at younger ages [1]. Dr Eva Emmett stated that "the study shows that hypertension and diabetes prevalence are higher and growing faster in ethnic minorities and lower socioeconomic groups" [1], while Dr Maëva May emphasized that "too many people from Black African and Black Caribbean communities and those living in more deprived environments are experiencing stroke risk factors at an earlier age" [1]. The researchers call for earlier, targeted prevention measures directed at high-risk populations [1].