Bring It Down: A Formative Evaluation of Reach and Effectiveness of a Blood Pressure Reduction Program in Detroit, Michigan USA.
Foster, Bethany; Twiner, Michael J.; Bauer, Samantha J.; Korzeniewski, Steven J.; Lund, Mallory A.; Gould, Jordan; Dawood, Katee; Bhatia, Sahil; Dawkins, Kristina; Byrd, Michelle; Brook, Robert D.; Levy, Phillip
Why this matters
Community health workers may help close hypertension gaps by connecting people to care and supporting follow-through outside the clinic. Of 158 Detroit participants with follow-up, recruited from emergency department encounters and mobile health units, mean systolic blood pressure fell by 16 mmHg.
Abstract
The Bring it Down program examined reach and effectiveness of community health worker-facilitated linkage to primary care for blood pressure control in Detroit. Of 153,630 ED encounters, 395 agreed to participate. Also enrolled 124 from mobile health units. Among 158 with follow-up, there was a significant reduction in mean systolic BP (mean difference: -16 mmHg). Clinical and community recruitment paired with CHW connections to primary care may be a viable strategy for improving BP control.