Are racial/ethnic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with differences in adherence to hypertensive care in urban ambulatory settings?
African American and lower-income hypertensive patients in urban settings are at higher risk for medication non-adherence, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in these vulnerable populations.
Nationally, a higher proportion of the medically underserved than of the general population suffer from hypertension. Poorer adherence to recommended therapies (including medication regimens, salt intake reduction, and regular visits with provider) has been linked to poorer blood pressure control. To identify whether differences in adherence are associated with racial/ethnic and socioeconomic characteristics, we administered a survey to 141 African American and non-Hispanic White hypertensive patients within two hospital-based clinics in an urban setting in the Northeast U.S. There were no differences in adherence to follow-up appointments or dietary recommendations between racial/ ethnic or income groups. However, there were differences between groups in adherence to medication regimens, with African Americans and lower-income groups significantly more likely to be non-adherent to medication regimens. When treating patients or implementing interventions aimed at improving adherence, special attention should be paid to African Americans and patients from low-income communities.
Ndumele et al. (Mon,) studied this question.