Why the study?
Individuals living in rural areas face a higher prevalence of hypertension and lower blood pressure control due to distinct barriers to care.
This AHA scientific statement highlights the disparities in hypertension management among rural populations and recommends strategies such as telehealth and remote monitoring to improve care.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“The American Heart Association is cognizant to the fact that America's rural regions are very unique and that there's not a one-size-fits-all approach to eliminating rural health disparities. While there are some commonalities among rural areas, we must tailor our strategies to meet the needs of all communities from the Arkansas Delta to the prairies of Wyoming, the plains of Texas, the mountains of Appalachia and beyond.”
“Millions of people in rural America face inadequate and unaffordable health care and other systemic barriers that contribute to unacceptably poorer health outcomes. Addressing the unique health needs of people in rural America is critical to the American Heart Association's mission to create a world of longer, healthier lives.”
“Rural communities have higher death rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke, higher maternal mortality rates due in part to cardiovascular deaths and higher risk factors for chronic disease than urban areas. We must address inequities in health and health care resulting from disparities in income, education, housing, transportation and food security to optimize health in rural America.”
Rural hypertension control gaps persist; leaves open which targeted interventions best close access and literacy barriers.
Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Individuals living in rural areas have a higher prevalence of hypertension and a lower prevalence of blood pressure control. Factors contributing to the increased hypertension prevalence in rural populations include shortages of health care professionals, limited access to transportation and longer travel distances to care, lower health literacy, socioeconomic factors, and reduced access to pharmacies. Approaches to addressing barriers to effective hypertension management include expanding rural telehealth services, deploying mobile units, leveraging pharmacists, implementing remote blood pressure monitoring, and engaging community health workers. Health services need to be culturally tailored and address the unique challenges faced by rural communities. Further research is needed to identify effective methods for addressing health disparities experienced by rural populations related to hypertension management.
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Ford et al. (2026) conducted a review in Hypertension. Rural populations experience higher hypertension prevalence and lower blood pressure control due to healthcare shortages, socioeconomic factors, and limited access to care.
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