title: Strategies for controlling blood pressure among low-income populations in Georgia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Georgia an estimated 32% of blacks and 28% of whites have high blood pressure. In 2004 the rate of death from stroke in Georgia was 12% higher than the national average, and blacks in the state have a 1.4 times greater rate of death from stroke than that of whites.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The Georgia legislature funds the Stroke and Heart Attack Prevention Program (SHAPP) to provide treatment and medications for indigent Georgians. The median rate of blood pressure (BP) control among SHAPP enrollees is approximately 60%, compared with the national average of 35%.
  
  
  METHODS
  SHAPP was evaluated through interviews with key health care and administrative staff and through focus groups of patients in two clinics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outcomes for patients were increased knowledge of their BP and improved compliance with taking medication and keeping clinic appointments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Successful components of SHAPP include an easy enrollment process; affordable medication; use of evidence-based, documented protocols and patient tracking systems; routine follow-up of patients; and effective communication between staff and patients. Challenges and recommendations for improvement are identified.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division for the Prevention of Heart Disease and Stroke, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Constantine
authors.forename: J Nell
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Brownstein
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoover
authors.forename: Lashawn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wordlaw-Stinson
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Orenstein
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Rosanne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farris
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D005845:Georgia; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011203:Poverty; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents