Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension—United States, 1999-2002

Abstract

High blood pressure (HBP) is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, end-stage renal disease, and peripheral vascular disease and is a chief contributor to adult disability. Approximately one in four adults in the United States has hypertension. Although effective therapy has been available for more than 50 years, most persons with hypertension do not have their blood pressure (BP) under control. National health objectives for 2010 include reducing the proportion of adults with HBP to 16% (baseline: 28%), increasing the proportion of adults with hypertension who are taking action to control it to 95% (baseline: 82%), and increasing the proportion of adults with controlled BP to 50% (baseline: 18%). During 1990-2000, the prevalence of hypertension, the percentage of those with hypertension who were aware of their condition, and treatment and control of hypertension increased among non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics. CDC analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for 1999-2002. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which determined that racial/ethnic disparities in awareness of, treatment for, and control of hypertension persist. If national health objectives are to be met, public health efforts must continue to focus on the prevention of HBP and must improve awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among minority populations.