Socioeconomic influences on coronary heart disease in black populations.

It is likely that socioeconomic factors exert important influences on coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity and mortality for U.S. blacks. Careful and comprehensive studies are needed to clarify the pathways through which low socioeconomic status exerts its influence on susceptibility to CHD. In addition, policy-oriented research is needed to clarify to what extent reduced access to medical care contributes to excessive CHD mortality in black Americans.