title: Disparities in adherence to hypertensive care in urban ambulatory settings.
abstract: Nationally, a higher proportion of the medically underserved than of the general population suffer from hypertension. Poorer adherence to recommended therapies (including medication regimens, salt intake reduction, and regular visits with provider) has been linked to poorer blood pressure control. To identify whether differences in adherence are associated with racial/ethnic and socioeconomic characteristics, we administered a survey to 141 African American and non-Hispanic White hypertensive patients within two hospital-based clinics in an urban setting in the Northeast U.S. There were no differences in adherence to follow-up appointments or dietary recommendations between racial/ ethnic or income groups. However, there were differences between groups in adherence to medication regimens, with African Americans and lower-income groups significantly more likely to be non-adherent to medication regimens. When treating patients or implementing interventions aimed at improving adherence, special attention should be paid to African Americans and patients from low-income communities.
authors.affiliation: Alpert School of Medicine, Department of Community Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Chima D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ndumele
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shaykevich
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: LeRoi S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Hicks
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents