Charlton K, Rees J, Burrow E. Identifying high cholesterol in the ambulance setting:a mixed-methods cohort study to tackle health inequality. J Public Health (Oxf).2024 May 29;46(2):277–85.
A recent study examined how people using a regional NHS ambulance service deal with high cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia) and their subsequent health behaviors. The study involved 203 participants, more than half of whom were diagnosed with high cholesterol. Interestingly, the study found that younger people and those with higher cholesterol levels were more likely to seek further medical management, while socioeconomic status (SES) did not seem to play a role in whether or not participants sought help.
One surprising finding was that while low SES is often linked to poor health, it did not predict whether someone had high cholesterol or if they would seek treatment for it. Instead, other factors like existing health conditions, health education, and personal behavior were more influential in determining whether someone would take steps to lower their cholesterol.
Many participants did not act on their high cholesterol diagnosis, often because they were dealing with other health issues they considered more urgent. Even though they received advice on managing cholesterol, many were confused about their diagnosis
and the risks, leading them to neglect further treatment or lifestyle changes that could help reduce their cholesterol levels.
The study also highlighted challenges like difficulty in getting follow-up appointments and issues with contact information, which further hindered engagement with healthcare. Some participants didn’t have an accurate phone number on record, making it hard to reach them for follow-up care, which may reflect broader issues of digital exclusion and health inequality.
The research underlines the need for better public health messaging and support systems that address these barriers, particularly for those with low SES. It suggests that improving initial engagement with cholesterol management could help reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for those at risk of cardiovascular disease.
This study offers a fresh perspective by focusing on a group often overlooked in cholesterol research—those using emergency services—and highlights the complex factors influencing health behaviors and the importance of tailored approaches to public health interventions.
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