Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Multiple Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke—United States, 2003

Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death, respectively, in the US. Certain modifiable risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco use, obesity, and lack of exercise, are the main targets for primary and secondary prevention of heart disease and stroke. A summary of the results of an assessment of the prevalence of multiple risk factors for heart disease and stroke and to identify disparities in risk status among population subgroups. A CDC editorial note is also presented.