that assessed the prevalence of statin use according to sex, race, and ethnicity.
Special strengths of the study were that they addressed several patient-specific factors as well as socioeconomic and health insurance–related factors. They accounted for age, but also severity of underlying disease and comorbidity status, and then looked at the individual's educational level; household income; and whether they had health insurance, prescription coverage, and general access to care.
Compared with non-Hispanic White men, whom the researchers used as the referent, there were disparities of lower prevalence of statin use among non-Hispanic Black men and also among multiracial men. Among women in secondary prevention, the disparities in statin use were even more stark. Compared with non-Hispanic White men, the prevalence of statin use was 40%-60% lower in Hispanic women, 30% lower in non-Hispanic White women, and 25% lower in non-Hispanic Black women.