Understanding the Importance of Hypertension Management in the Black Community
Hypertension is a persistent health challenge among Black adults, and it calls for an urgent need for physicians and health professionals to improve care for Black patients with high blood pressure. During Black History Month and beyond, the spotlight is on the pressing need for better healthcare for the Black community.
The Association of Black Cardiologists: A Beacon of Change
The Association of Black Cardiologists Inc (ABC) is a front-runner in addressing this issue. They are committed to promoting the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in Blacks and other minorities to achieve health equity. The ABC is actively addressing heart health disparities in African American communities and advocating for positive change. Their strategy includes clinical research, provider education, training initiatives, and engaging with community members to provide interventions that address health equity. Their programs focus on promoting heart health directly or by addressing social determinants of health. Their partnership with The Heart Truth program and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) helps them in their education and outreach efforts.
The Role of Digital Health Interventions
Research has also highlighted the effectiveness of digital health interventions for hypertension management in US populations experiencing health disparities. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies found that patients with health disparities receiving a digital health intervention compared with standard care had greater reductions in systolic BP at 6 and 12 months. The most successful interventions primarily involved remote blood pressure monitoring. These findings suggest that digital health interventions hold promise for improving blood pressure levels in populations experiencing health disparities.
The LA Barbershop Model: A Community-Based Approach
Among community-based approaches, the LA barbershop model has emerged as a successful method of improving hypertension management among African American populations. This innovative approach could potentially be expanded to other trusted spaces, such as hair salons. GIS mapping has been used to identify optimal locations for implementing such hypertension management approaches in African American communities, including numerous barbershops and hair salons located in census tracts with a high percentage of African American populations. These locations could serve as potential settings for implementing the LA barbershop model, thus enhancing community clinical linkages for hypertension management tailored to the needs of African American communities.
The U-M Hypertension Pharmacists’ Program: Expanding Success
The U-M Hypertension Pharmacists’ Program has been successful in controlling blood pressure in patients, with 66% of patients having their hypertension under control within three months. The program is now being expanded to the southeastern United States by the CDC, with the goal of closing the health disparity gap by 5% among Black adults. This program provides individualized and accessible care and education for patients with high blood pressure, and aims to improve access to care and outcomes. The CDC is seeking to implement the program in settings that serve African American patients in the southeastern U.S, providing hope for improved hypertension management in these communities.
Conclusion
Addressing hypertension in the Black community is a multidimensional challenge that requires an equally multifaceted approach. From organizations like ABC to digital interventions, community-based approaches, and tailored programs, many strategies are being employed to improve hypertension management. It is essential that these efforts continue and expand to ensure that every individual, regardless of race or ethnicity, can enjoy good health and well-being.