Mediterranean Diet for Cardiovascular Disease Control inLow-income Populations in the United States: Application of Community Outreach Services

Abstract

In the US, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a serious public health issue that disproportionately affects people with low incomes.The low-income populations are more likely to consume diets high in fats, refined grains, and added sugars which are considered as foods associated with a high Dietary Inflammation Index (DII). Due to the promotion of inflammatory processes and rising of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, foods with high DII increase the risk of CVD. On the other hand, it has been established that anti-inflammatory foods including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are high in polyphenols, β-glucans, and other bioactive substances, can reduce these risks via a variety of antioxidant and metabolic processes. Notably, compliance with the Mediterranean diet in which low DII is a defining characteristic, has been identified as an effective strategy in reducing the risk of CVD. This paper highlights the need for accessible community-based health care and dietary counseling in the promotion of cardiovascular health behaviors through an analysis of dietary intake and cardiovascular health outcomes in low-income populations. Anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, in public health strategies aimed at reducing the risk of CVD in low-income populations, thereby contributing to the reduction of the burden of cardiovascular disease through nutritional interventions.This paper explores the relationship between socioeconomic status, dietary patterns, and CVD risk, emphasizing the critical role of community-based interventions and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns in addressing this disparity.