Hypertension-Related Mortality among Adults with Obesity: Trends and Disparities in the United States

Strategic Insights -

Recent research has highlighted the alarming rate of hypertension-related mortality among adults with obesity in the United States. The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the Dow University of Health Sciences, analyzed data from the CDC WONDER database to examine trends and demographic disparities in hypertension-related mortality among individuals with obesity. The findings revealed a significant increase in age-adjusted mortality rates, from 2.58 per 100,000 in 2000 to 13.23 in 2023, with an annual percentage change of +7.16%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated mortality data from individuals aged 25 years with obesity (ICD-10-CM: E66) and hypertension (ICD-10-CM: I10-I15) as underlying or contributing causes of death from 2000 to 2023.
  • The CDC WONDER database was used to extract mortality data, and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were calculated across demographic subgroups.
  • Joinpoint regression estimated the annual percentage change (APC) in mortality rates.
  • Sensitivity analyses assessed trends when hypertension was the primary cause of death.
  • The results showed a significant increase in AAMR from 2.58 per 100,000 in 2000 to 13.23 in 2023, with an APC of +7.16%.
  • Between 2000 and 2023, 410,416 hypertension-related deaths occurred in individuals with obesity.
  • The study found significant variations in mortality rates by sex, race, geographic region, and urbanization level.
  • Targeted interventions are needed to address these disparities and reduce obesity-related hypertension mortality.

Statistics:

  • Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) increased from 2.58 per 100,000 in 2000 to 13.23 in 2023 (AAPC: +7.16%, 95% CI: 6.66-8.52, p<0.001).
  • Between 2000 and 2023, 410,416 hypertension-related deaths occurred in individuals with obesity.
  • Mortality rates varied significantly by sex, with males having higher rates than females (14.73 vs. 11.79 per 100,000).
  • Racial disparities were also observed, with Black individuals having higher mortality rates than White and Hispanic individuals (16.23 vs. 12.55 vs. 11.89 per 100,000, respectively).
  • Geographic region and urbanization level also played a significant role in mortality rates, with urban areas experiencing higher rates than rural areas.

Sources:

  • "Trends and Disparities in Hypertension-Related Mortality among Adults with Obesity in the United States from 2000-2023." The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 2025.
  • CDC WONDER database.
  • Dow University of Health Sciences.
  • The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA.
  • Taimor Mohammed Khan, Dept. of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.