Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Introduction: Black Americans are 30% more likely to have hypertension (HTN), and they experience 4-5 times greater HTN-related mortality as compared to White Americans. Despite the higher risk, Black patients have lower blood pressure (BP) control than White patients. These disparities can be addressed through improved engagement and self-monitoring of BP (SMBP).
Hypothesis: We hypothesize that telephonic outreach with in-person educational interventions will promote BP control in Black patients with HTN.
Methods: We conducted a pre-post single cohort study targeting minority patients with uncontrolled HTN (systolic BP [SBP] > 160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP [DBP] > 100 mmHg) in an FQHC. Trained students conducted telephone outreach to bring HTN awareness to 291 patients. In-person classes provided education about lifestyle modifications (exercise, nutrition, and medication compliance), distributed BP cuffs, and taught patients SMBP. Patient engagement, interest in classes, BP recordings before and after telephonic outreach, and in-person class attendance were analyzed.
Results: From 291 patients, 149 (51.2%) were reached (Figure 1). Among patients who engaged with the entire call (n=137, 91.9%), 71 (77.2%) expressed interest in attending classes. Significant reductions in SBP (170.47 mmHg to 139.94 mmHg, p<0.001) and DBP (97.15 mmHg to 83.21 mmHg, p<0.001) were observed post-telephonic outreach (n=34) (Figure 2). Of the 24 patients who attended in-person classes, 12 (50%) responded to telephonic outreach and demonstrated increased continuity with follow-up primary care visits. During their first class, 18 (75%) patients did not own a BP cuff.
Conclusions: Telephonic engagement is associated with improved BP and greater class attendance, but barriers to in-person attendance remain. Providing BP monitors and integrating digital education resources could improve engagement and outcomes for high-risk Black patients.