Check, Monitor, Control Hypertension in Older African American Adults (#Check, Monitor, Control)

Texas Southern University, Houston TX

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Project 2 Check, Monitor, Control Hypertension in Older African American Adults (#Check, Monitor, Control) African Americans (AAs) are disproportionately affected by hypertension (HTN) and are associated with higher cardiovascular and stroke mortalities than the general population. Interestingly, studies have shown that AAs are taking more antihypertensive medications but are less likely to adhere to the prescribed medication regimens compared to the general population. Additionally, participants in qualitative studies and our community engagement studio have expressed that HTN self-management (lifestyle modifications) should receive more attention than increasing medications. The proposed study will address this need in investigating novel intervention strategies targeting at HTN self-management (e.g., medication management, blood pressure checking) and lifestyle modifications. The study has two components: Pharmacists (Pharm) and Community Health Workers (CHW). In the Pharm component, pharmacists will provide virtual Medication Therapy Management (MTM) visits, including a comprehensive medication review, lifestyle modifications, blood pressure checking, and medication organization app education. In the CHW component, the CHW will support participants’ self-initiation in behavioral change, address lifestyle modification challenges, and build connections through health workshops. This project will fill an important gap in knowledge regarding the synergistic effect of CHWs working with pharmacists to help older adults using mobile health technologies (e.g., virtual visits, medication management apps) and initiating lifestyle modifications on HTN self-management in the AA population. By leveraging the Center of Biomedical and Health Research (CBMHR) Community Engagement Core’s community network, the study will recruit a cohort of 480 predominantly AA adults 55 years or older with HTN through community-based and faith-based organizations and community clinics in the Greater Houston communities. Participants will be prospectively randomized to one of the two groups: 1) Pharmacist alone (control group); or 2) Pharmacist and CHW interventions (Pharm+CHW) for 24 months. The specific aims are: 1) to evaluate the synergistic effect of a Pharm+CHW intervention compared to a Pharm alone (control group) to improve BP control in a predominantly AA cohort aged ≥ 55 years in a prospective randomized trial (n=480); 2) to identify factors correlated with clinical BP outcomes in a predominantly AA cohort aged ≥ 55 years with HTN. Clinical outcomes such as BP readings and control rate will be collected at 0-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed interventions.