Closing the Gap on Health Disparities and Outcomes in Hypertension (2023-2024)
Hypertension affects over 116 million adults in the United States, with direct costs projected to exceed $220 billion by 2035. Disparities are well-documented in hypertension treatment, control and outcomes. The prevalence of hypertension among Black Americans is much higher than among non-Hispanic white Americans, and deaths attributable to hypertension are twice as frequent.
Building on the work of previous teams, this project focused on evaluating the policy implications of the January 2022 ruling from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This ruling was designed to close the gap in health disparities and treatment outcomes for persons with uncontrolled hypertension by enabling patient-reported self-monitored blood pressure readings to “count” as valid and reliable healthcare quality measures. It was also meant to advance the value and visibility of patient-reported blood pressure and to expand payment options and reimbursement models for healthcare systems, clinics and providers.
Team members designed and implemented an intervention to encourage participation in a blood pressure reduction initiative. They conducted 1:1 telephone outreach, taught classes and partnered with community organizations as well as creating a portfolio of policy briefs and blogs for lay leaders.
Timing
Summer 2023 – Spring 2024
Team Outputs
Delivery of blood pressure cuffs
Improved website access to Zoom platform for classes
Policy briefs
Blog posts
Closing the Gap on Health Disparity and Outcomes in Hypertension: Utilizing a Quality Improvement Method on Hypertension Management for Black Patients (Poster presented at Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 17, 2024)
This Team in the News
Duke Names Fourth Class of Nakayama Scholars
Meet the Members of the 2023-2024 Student Advisory Council
See related teams, Closing the Gap on Health Disparities and Outcomes in Hypertension (2024-2025) and Closing the Gap on Health Disparity and Outcomes in Hypertension (2022-2023).