PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Blood Cholesterol: Doctor-diagnosed High Cholesterol

Why Is This Important?

High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It is preventable. If identified early, it can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes, such as eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, increasing physical activity, and reducing excess weight. Because high blood cholesterol does not produce obvious symptoms, experts recommend that all adults aged 20 years and older have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years to help them take action to prevent or lower their risk of cardiovascular disease.

In 2021, the prevalence of high blood cholesterol continued to be lower among Utah adults than among the general U.S. adult population. In 2021, 27.4% of U.S. adults who have had their cholesterol checked had doctor-diagnosed high cholesterol, compared to 25.4% of adults in Utah.

Data Notes

In 2016, Utah BRFSS modified its methodology for age adjustment for increased precision. With this change, Utah is consistent with both the U.S. and other states using IBIS. Data has been updated from 2011 onward in all chart views to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]]Age-adjusted to 2000 U.S. standard population. To reduce bias and more accurately represent population data, the BRFSS has changed survey methodology. In 2011, it began conducting surveys by cellular phone in addition to landline phones. It also adopted "iterative proportional fitting" (raking) as its weighting method.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for high cholesterol include lack of exercise, overweight and obesity, cigarette smoking, and high cholesterol diet. Some risk factors can be reduced through lifestyle changes. Others, such as family history and liver functioning, are more difficult to control. Certain medications can contribute to high cholesterol as well. Individuals are encouraged to discuss their risk factors with a physician and request blood cholesterol screening at least every five years.

How Are We Doing?

In 2021, the age-adjusted percentage of Utah adults who reported being told they had high cholesterol was 25.4% (approximately 1 in 4 adults). In 2021 doctor-diagnosed high cholesterol was different by gender (23.7% for females and 27.0% for males). High cholesterol prevalence increased with age. Among Utahns aged 65 and over, 49.1% were diagnosed with high cholesterol, compared to 7.3% of adults aged 18 to 34.

What Is Being Done?

The Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Programs aims to reduce the incidence of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke by targeting risk factors including reducing obesity, increasing physical activity and nutritious food consumption, and improving diabetes and hypertension control. The HEAL Program is working on the following things to address issues related to high blood cholesterol: *Increasing healthy nutrition and physical activity environments in K-12 schools *Increasing healthy nutrition and physical activity environments in early care and education (childcare/preschool) *Increasing healthy nutrition and physical activity environments and programs in worksites *Improving awareness of prediabetes, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol for Utahns *Improving the quality of medical care for people with diabetes, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol *Improving the linkages between health care providers and supporting community programs for Utahns with prediabetes, diabetes, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol *Improving access and availability to community health programs for Utahns with prediabetes, diabetes, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol *Improving care and management of students with chronic conditions in Utah schools