Closing the Gap on Health Disparities and Outcomes in Hypertension (2024-2025)
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.
In Durham County, the prevalence of hypertension is 42%, with a strong association with residential racial isolation. This data suggests opportunities to intervene at the neighborhood level to reduce hypertension disparities and improve overall population health.
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 is 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.
The project team engaged patients in learning the digital literacy skills required for self-monitored blood pressure reporting as an evidence-based approach to improving care of uncontrolled hypertension.
Team members refined 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 to achieve this goal.
The team also created a portfolio of policy briefs, blog posts and journalistic pieces for lay leaders and build on partnerships in the local community (e.g., Lincoln Community Health Center, North Carolina Central University, Durham Department of Parks and Recreation) and at the national level (e.g., American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Colleges of Preventive Medicine).
Timing
Summer 2024 – Spring 2025
Team Outputs
Delivery of blood pressure cuffs
Improved website access to Zoom platform for classes
Policy briefs, blog posts and journalistic pieces
See earlier related team, Closing the Gap on Health Disparity and Outcomes in Hypertension (2023-2024).