ANIKA ATTALURI

Arizona State University, BS

Anikaattaluri@arizona.edu

Anika Attaluri is an upcoming junior at Arizona State University studying biomedical engineering and global health. As the daughter of immigrants, Anika has noticed how medical disparities detrimentally affect the overall well-being of underrepresented populations. In the future, Anika wants to be a compassionate physician that improves the quality of care for Arizona communities. She is especially interested in combining engineering and medicine to overcome the cultural barriers faced by underserved populations. At ASU, Anika is Vice President of the Honors College Council at Barrett and the Director of Advocacy for the United Nations Association. She is also the Aftercare team lead for the Refugee Education and Clinic Team, a free student-led clinic for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. In her free time, Anika enjoys traveling, learning various dance styles, and playing board games.

⊲ PROJECT

Unraveling the Hispanic Paradox: A Case-Control Study Exploring the Mechanisms of Pulmonary Hypertension in Hispanic Populations

Recent studies have shown that Hispanics have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors and an average low socioeconomic status, both of which are strong predictors of mortality. However, Hispanic subjects notably live longer than non-Hispanic Whites, a phenomenon known as the “Hispanic Paradox”. The Hispanic Paradox has been investigated for decades, but no factor has been identified to explain this phenomenon. To explore the underlying mechanism of the Hispanic paradox, this project specifically focused on the manifestation of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH). The objective of this case-control study was to investigate the effect of biological factors, environmental factors, and social determinants of health on mortality, quality of life, and function status in Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations. Additionally, the study analyzed ethnic differences in right ventricular function as a potential mechanistic link to the Hispanic Paradox. A univariate analysis was conducted to identify potential variables that influence the Hispanic Paradox phenomenon. The results indicated that Hispanics report more mental disability and a poorer quality of life despite their mortality advantage. Additionally, for an equivalent amount of afterload on the right heart, Hispanics better overcame the amount of pressure on their right heart. Therefore, the differences in right heart function in Hispanic subjects may explain their mortality advantage in spite of their poor social determinants of health. Studying the underlying factors influencing the progression of rare diseases, such as PAH, can shine a light on more common diseases affecting the Hispanic population. This knowledge can be utilized for targeted interventions addressing the specific needs of the Hispanic population, ultimately reducing cardiovascular health disparities and improving overall health and well-being.