Nearly 1 in 2 adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension, yet only about 1 in 4 have it under control. Black Americans and people of Hispanics background living in the U.S. are 40% more likely to have the condition and are at least three times more likely to die from heart disease caused by high blood pressure and stroke than their white counterparts. However, hypertension is a preventable risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
The American Heart Association and healthcare company, Abbott are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. We are proud to announce a new multi-year initiative to reduce high blood pressure and chronic diseases in the residents of historically underserved local communities in Austin, Texas. The initiative is made possible through a generous financial contribution from Abbott and will also support three Federally Qualified Healthcare Clinical Systems (FQHCs) in Central Texas in providing educational resources, support and self-monitoring devices necessary for high-risk hypertensive and diabetic patients to manage their blood pressure, glucose levels and health behaviors.