Nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertension, one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and only about a quarter (24%) of those people have their hypertension under control. Studies show that there are racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the awareness and treatment of hypertension. Patients from groups traditionally underserved by medicine have a disproportionately higher burden of hypertension and higher rates of mortality associated with cardiovascular disease.

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Intervenções de Saúde Digital: Equidade dos cuidados da Hipertensão para todos
Reproduced image of the article.

Publication type: Article Summary
Original title: Digital Health Tools Help Manage Hypertension for Populations Experiencing Health Disparities
Article publication date: February 2024
Source: JAMA Network Open
Authors: Miriam E. Katz, Reed Mszar, Alyssa A. Grimshaw, Craig G. Gunderson, Oyere K. Onuma, Yuan Lu and Erica S. Spatz

What is the goal, target audience, and areas of digital health it addresses?
     The goal of the study is to evaluate the relationship between digital health interventions and changes in blood pressure, and to identify customized strategies for managing hypertension in populations facing health disparities. The target audience includes researchers, clinicians, public health professionals and patients. The article addresses digital health by focusing on specific software solutions, such as text message reminders, along with the use of connected medical devices for remote blood pressure monitoring. These digital health solutions aim to leverage technology to improve hypertension outcomes, particularly in vulnerable communities.

What is the context?
     Nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertension, one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and only about a quarter (24%) of those people have their hypertension under control. Studies show that there are racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the awareness and treatment of hypertension. Patients from groups traditionally underserved by medicine have a disproportionately higher burden of hypertension and higher rates of mortality associated with cardiovascular disease.

What are the current approaches?
     Current approaches for managing uncontrolled hypertension include text message reminders for medication adherence, remote blood pressure monitoring, and virtual behavioral coaching. Tailored, multicomponent strategies are also effective, such as home monitoring combined with centralized medical teams to address elevated blood pressure readings. Home monitoring empowers patients to manage their health. However, the success of these interventions depends on patients having the necessary technology and support, to use these tools effectively, as well as proper engagement from healthcare providers. Incorporating a social determinants of health framework can help address factors like income and education, preventing widening health disparities.

What does the study consist of? How is the impact of the selected studies assessed?
     The study team first conducted a systematic literature search to identify relevant articles that investigated digital health interventions for the management of hypertension in adults and showed a change in systolic blood pressure. To be included in this meta-analysis, studies must have a clear emphasis on social determinants of health and/or health disparities or on digital health intervention strategies that were culturally and/or linguistically tailored to the populations they were intended to serve.

     The meta-analysis included a total of 28 studies, representing 8,257 patients. These studies assessed sociodemographic characteristics and changes in the systolic blood pressure from baseline to 6 and 12 months of follow-up between digital health intervention and control groups. This study provided insights into effective strategies to improve blood pressure control and advance health equity.

What are the results obtained? What are the main conclusions?
     The meta-analysis found that digital health interventions reduced systolic blood pressure compared to the control groups across all sociodemographic groups, indicating a generalized benefit regardless of characteristics such as age, ethnicity, income, and education level.

     A significant portion of the digital health interventions used in the studies included remote blood pressure monitoring and the involvement of community health workers or skilled nurses to enhance patient support. Additionally, some studies employed tailored messaging based on cultural considerations, electronic health reminders, wearable or ingestible sensors, behavioral support (such as virtual coaching), educational programs, and active medication management through digital platforms.

     The findings suggest that tailored initiatives that leverage digital health may have the potential to advance equity in hypertension outcomes. The study highlights the importance of continuing to adapt and personalize digital health interventions to meet the needs of all patients from diverse backgrounds.

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Home / Publications / Publication

Intervenções de Saúde Digital: Equidade dos cuidados da Hipertensão para todos
Reproduced image of the article.

Publication type: Article Summary
Original title: Digital Health Tools Help Manage Hypertension for Populations Experiencing Health Disparities
Article publication date: February 2024
Source: JAMA Network Open
Authors: Miriam E. Katz, Reed Mszar, Alyssa A. Grimshaw, Craig G. Gunderson, Oyere K. Onuma, Yuan Lu and Erica S. Spatz

What is the goal, target audience, and areas of digital health it addresses?
     The goal of the study is to evaluate the relationship between digital health interventions and changes in blood pressure, and to identify customized strategies for managing hypertension in populations facing health disparities. The target audience includes researchers, clinicians, public health professionals and patients. The article addresses digital health by focusing on specific software solutions, such as text message reminders, along with the use of connected medical devices for remote blood pressure monitoring. These digital health solutions aim to leverage technology to improve hypertension outcomes, particularly in vulnerable communities.

What is the context?
     Nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertension, one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and only about a quarter (24%) of those people have their hypertension under control. Studies show that there are racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the awareness and treatment of hypertension. Patients from groups traditionally underserved by medicine have a disproportionately higher burden of hypertension and higher rates of mortality associated with cardiovascular disease.

What are the current approaches?
     Current approaches for managing uncontrolled hypertension include text message reminders for medication adherence, remote blood pressure monitoring, and virtual behavioral coaching. Tailored, multicomponent strategies are also effective, such as home monitoring combined with centralized medical teams to address elevated blood pressure readings. Home monitoring empowers patients to manage their health. However, the success of these interventions depends on patients having the necessary technology and support, to use these tools effectively, as well as proper engagement from healthcare providers. Incorporating a social determinants of health framework can help address factors like income and education, preventing widening health disparities.

What does the study consist of? How is the impact of the selected studies assessed?
     The study team first conducted a systematic literature search to identify relevant articles that investigated digital health interventions for the management of hypertension in adults and showed a change in systolic blood pressure. To be included in this meta-analysis, studies must have a clear emphasis on social determinants of health and/or health disparities or on digital health intervention strategies that were culturally and/or linguistically tailored to the populations they were intended to serve.

     The meta-analysis included a total of 28 studies, representing 8,257 patients. These studies assessed sociodemographic characteristics and changes in the systolic blood pressure from baseline to 6 and 12 months of follow-up between digital health intervention and control groups. This study provided insights into effective strategies to improve blood pressure control and advance health equity.

What are the results obtained? What are the main conclusions?
     The meta-analysis found that digital health interventions reduced systolic blood pressure compared to the control groups across all sociodemographic groups, indicating a generalized benefit regardless of characteristics such as age, ethnicity, income, and education level.

     A significant portion of the digital health interventions used in the studies included remote blood pressure monitoring and the involvement of community health workers or skilled nurses to enhance patient support. Additionally, some studies employed tailored messaging based on cultural considerations, electronic health reminders, wearable or ingestible sensors, behavioral support (such as virtual coaching), educational programs, and active medication management through digital platforms.

     The findings suggest that tailored initiatives that leverage digital health may have the potential to advance equity in hypertension outcomes. The study highlights the importance of continuing to adapt and personalize digital health interventions to meet the needs of all patients from diverse backgrounds.

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Do you have an innovative idea in healthcare field?

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