Coronary heart disease in black Americans: suggestions for research on psychosocial factors.

Despite the fact that coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death among U.S. blacks, virtually no information exists on the contribution of psychosocial factors to CHD risk in this population. Studies conducted on U.S. whites suggest that type A behavior may be positively associated with risk for CHD. Other studies on whites suggest that occupational stressors, socioeconomic status, and social mobility may also be important. Studies that examine the contribution of these factors to CHD risk in the black population are needed. Moreover, recent changes in the socioeconomic profile of the U.S. black population present an unusual opportunity to study the role of psychosocial variables in CHD among black Americans. Some of the theoretical and measurement issues that investigators may face in conducting such research are discussed, and some specific suggestions for research are offered.