The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70146

John T. Wulu, PhD¹, Felicia Collins, MD, MPH², Jerrilynn Regan, RN, MS, MPA³, Latecia Engram, MSPH³, and Kevin Ma, MHA⁴. (1) Office of Data, Evaluation, Analysis & Research, Bureau of Primary Health Care, HRSA/DHHS, 4350 East West Highway, 7th floor, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-594-3730, jwulu@hrsa.gov, (2) Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration, 4350 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (3) Bureau of Primary Health Care, East West Towers, 4350 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (4) Bureau of Primary Health Care, HRSA, 4350 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814

Hypertension is an important public health challenge in the United States. As many as 50 million Americans have hypertension and the cost for treatment is increasing annually in the U.S. The proportion of persons with hypertension who have their blood pressure under control has increased dramatically during the past several decades. This study compares the prevalence of hypertension among adult CHC users with other low-income vulnerable U.S. adults who may face similarly barriers to health care. It assesses whether CHC care of hypertensive patients meets nationally accepted standards; and also, compares the health promoting behaviors of the comparison groups. Methods: Data used are from the 1995/2002 CHC user/visit survey and the 1994/2000 NHIS. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Females were more likely than males to take prescribed medications. There were no significant differences in the proportions of hypertension patients having their blood pressure under control by race/ethnicity, gender, and insurance type. The proportions of hypertensive CHC patients who received advice to change diet and/or eating habits were not significantly different by race/ethnicity, while the proportions of hypertensive NHIS patients who received advice to change diet and/or eating habits were significantly different by race/ethnicity. Conclusions: There is growing evidence that changes in diet and exercise can improve patient outcomes and diminish need for prescription drugs. Patient compliance with prescription drug recommendations is vital to hypertension control. Further research is needed to determine how to best ensure continued patient compliance with anti-hypertensive medications and patient conforming to improved dietary/eating habits.

Learning Objectives:

• To examine the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) and related health-promoting behaviors within community health center (CHC) population stratified by socio-demographic factors (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, poverty status, marital status, educational levels, insurance status, and usual source of care) using the CHC user/visit survey data. To compare the prevalence of HTN and related health promoting behaviors within CHC population stratified by the selected socio-demographic factors, to comparable population using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. To compare the health promoting behaviors of the proportions of CHC patients to low-income from the general population in the NHIS on each of the following indicators by selected socio-demographic factors: i) patients received advice to change diet and/or eating habits; ii) followed advice to change diet and/or eating habits; iii) had medications prescribed; iv) taking prescribed medications; and v) had blood pressure under control. To conduct logistic regression analyses with health behavioral variables.

Keywords: Access and Services, Behavior Modification

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.