Disparities in Hypertension Control Care for African Americans Kaiser Permanente Policy Story Slides

Health disparities and hypertension  African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension at a younger age and are at higher risk of strokes, deaths from heart disease, heart failure and end-stage renal disease.  In 2012, African Americans received worse care than whites for nearly 40 percent of quality measures  Examples: hypertension and dehydration admissions  In 2012, African Americans received worse access to care for 33 percent of measures  Examples: insurance coverage and wait times 2| © 2014 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.October 6, 2015

3| © 2014 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. For internal use only.October 6, 2015 Kaiser Permanente closes the gap  2011 Kaiser Permanente Equity Summit: The Kaiser Permanente goal is to exceed the 90 th percentile within the HEDIS measures for all members, and to close any disparity gaps that remain, no matter how small.  Initiatives at Kaiser Permanente: – Expanded access – Communication building – Support with healthy behavior changes – Evidence-based medicine – Targeted use of HIT

Key Accomplishments  The gaps separating African American Kaiser Permanente patients from white patients in hypertension control have been reduced from 4.8 to 3.6 percent over the last 4 years.  Kaiser Permanente patients, regardless of race, exceed the HEDIS national 90 th percentile for control of high blood pressure. 4| © 2014 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.October 6, 2015

For further information, contact Athan Bezaitis at To read the full story visit: disparities-in-hypertension-care-for-african-americans