Strategies for Encouraging Families to Manage Hypertension more Effectively

In a concerted effort to address the prevalence of hypertension and its associated health risks, various state health departments and organisations have embarked on a series of collaborative initiatives.

The Utah Department of Health has partnered with several clinics to encourage referrals into their tailored familial support programs in two counties. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to manage blood pressure effectively, which requires a multi-pronged approach encompassing changes in diet, physical activity levels, medication use, and social support.

Clients identified through the Utah BeWISE Program were asked to invite a support person to be screened for high blood pressure during their follow-up call. Those screened with high blood pressure were also invited to participate in health coaching services.

Similarly, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control collaborated with HopeHealth to expand health education and integrate each client's self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring plan into their Electronic Medical Record (EMR).

The American Medical Association (AMA) has supported process development together with the CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention to improve health outcomes and reduce hypertension. Regular stakeholder meetings are an integral part of building shared values and maintaining progress towards aim statements developed by the group.

Quality data sharing is essential to coordinate services and referrals for individuals with high blood pressure and their families who enter the healthcare system. Clinical providers can connect patients to community services and track their use through bi-directional referrals.

A significant challenge in managing hypertension is the fact that approximately half of those with the condition are unaware of their diagnosis. This statistic underscores the importance of comprehensive screening and education programs. One in three people in the United States has hypertension, making it a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability in the country.

The leading causes of death and serious long-term disability in the United States are heart disease and strokes, both of which are major risks associated with hypertension. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major risk factor for these conditions.

Lessons from these initiatives are taken from the ASTHO/CDC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Learning Collaborative. The brief explores how state and territorial health agencies can engage people who provide social support for individuals and families with hypertension. S/THAs can use ASTHO's Tools for Change to identify examples and best practices for driving changes in familial support of blood pressure management.

Sustaining processes and procedures requires a change not only in what clients are offered, but how providers care for clients by integrating streamlined referrals, cross-sectoral communication, and team-based solutions into the standard operations. These collaborative efforts underscore the importance of a holistic approach to managing hypertension and the potential for significant improvements in health outcomes when stakeholders work together.