Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Hypertension: Barriers and Opportunities to Improve Blood Pressure Control

Purpose of Review To characterize the barriers and opportunities associated with racial and ethnic disparities in blood pressure (BP) control.Recent Findings Blood pressure (BP) control rates in the USA have worsened over the last decade, with significantly lower rates of control among people from racial and ethnic minority groups, with non-Hispanic (NH) Black persons having 10% lower control rates compared to NH White counterparts. Many factors contribute to BP control including key social determinants of health (SDoH) such as health literacy, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare as well as low awareness rates and dietary habits. Numerous pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions have been developed to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in BP control. Among these, dietary programs designed to help reduce salt intake, faith-based interventions, and community-based programs have found success in achieving better BP control among people from racial and ethnic minority groups.Disparities in the prevalence and management of hypertension persist and remain high, particularly among racial and ethnic minority populations. Ongoing efforts are needed to address SDoH along with the unique genetic, social, economic, and cultural diversity within these groups that contribute to ongoing BP management inequalities.

Automated summary

The purpose of this review is to examine the barriers and opportunities associated with racial and ethnic disparities in blood pressure control. Recent findings show that blood pressure control rates in the USA have worsened, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups. Factors such as health literacy, socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, awareness rates, and dietary habits contribute to these disparities. Various interventions, such as dietary programs, faith-based interventions, and community-based programs, have shown success in reducing these disparities.