title: Implementation of an Adjunct Strategy to Reduce Blood Pressure in Blacks with Uncontrolled Hypertension: a Pilot Project.
abstract: A high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among Blacks is a major cause of racial health disparities in the United States. We established a community/academic partnership to improve hypertension control in Blacks receiving medical care at a federally qualified health center in Milwaukee. The defining components of our program included: six group sessions (one/month), based on the American Heart Association's Simple Seven curriculum and designed to motivate and empower patients to manage their blood pressure; active involvement of a community health worker; and ongoing participation of a community advisory board. The study design included a matched control group not exposed to the intervention. Patients in both groups received their usual medical care. Overall, compared to baseline, systolic blood pressure decreased at both 6 and 12 months (P < 0.004); however, the reduction of blood pressure in the intervention and control groups did not differ significantly (P = .62). Based on written responses to a questionnaire and structured focus group interviews after completing the six-month program, participants reported that the intervention was effective. In retrospect, they suggested that more attention might have been given to spirituality and stress reduction. Larger and longer-term studies will be required to evaluate the added value of this type of intervention.
authors.forename: Madelaine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tully
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kos
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eastwood
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kusch
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kotchen
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care