Each week throughout April, in recognition of National Minority Health Month, PCORI will spotlight health conditions that disproportionately affect communities of color. One of PCORI's National Priorities for Health is to achieve health equity. As part of this mission, we will also share information about PCORI-funded studies aimed to address health disparities affecting underrepresented communities. Please check back as we highlight different health conditions and PCORI-funded projects. Click here to learn more about National Minority Health Month.

Image

Hypertension affects almost 50 percent of adults in the United States. When left uncontrolled, high blood pressure contributes to the leading cause of death in the US—heart disease. High blood pressure can also result in vision loss, stroke, and kidney problems.

Non-Hispanic Black adults and American Indians/Alaska Natives are more likely to have high blood pressure than their non-Hispanic white peers. Unfortunately, death due to hypertensive heart disease is nearly two times higher among Black people than Whites. Likewise, poorly controlled blood pressure during pregnancy and after childbirth is a leading reason Black women experience higher rates of pregnancy-related death than White women.

A PCORI-funded study to help address maternal morbidity and mortality is examining two interventions to improve Black maternal health. Both interventions encourage heart healthy lifestyle changes and require home blood pressure self-monitoring. One approach will also provide support from a community-based, maternal wellness team. The goal is to identify strategies that can consistently improve blood pressure control in Black women during pregnancy and beyond.

To learn more about PCORI’s patient-centered work on hypertension and heart disease, click here.