How a public health solution is reducing hypertension disparities

Addressing health care disparities can help practices improve the health of patients in vulnerable at-risk populations. Learn how eight family medicine practices boosted hypertension control rates for diverse patients by more than 3 percentage points in just three months. A targeted pilot As part of the Million Hearts initiative, the Summit County Public Health department (SCPH) and several partners in Ohio launched a pilot project with several family medicine practices to help reduce hypertension rates among black men. In Ohio, 38.5 percent of black patients have a diagnosis of hypertension, compared to 33.7 percent for white patients, according to the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Black men are also 49 percent more likely to die from stroke and 21 percent more likely to die from heart disease than white men. As a result of concerted efforts to combat these outcomes, in just three months, the eight practices reporting data in the pilot project were able to increase their blood pressure control rates for their patients with hypertension from 69.7 percent to 73.4 percent. The practices also saw the percentage of patients who scheduled follow-up appointments for their blood pressure increase from 66.0 percent to 68.8 percent. What was the secret to their success? Improving disparities and health outcomes Kristi Kato, a community health supervisor at SCPH, recently shared key insights on the project at a showcase of the Commission to End H...
Source: AMA Wire - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Source Type: news