Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among Community-Dwelling Adults in Low-Resource Neighborhoods of Chicago, Illinois

The purpose of this analysis was to quantify hypertension (HTN) prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in low-resource neighborhoods of Chicago, Illinois. Data were collected among a convenience sample of 11,167 adults screened between 2013 and 2019 at community events conducted through Keep Your Heart Healthy, a student-led community health program at a large academic medical center. HTN was defined as average systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg, or self-reported BP medication use. Awareness was defined as self-reported history of HTN; treatment was defined as self-reported BP medication use among those aware; and control was defined as SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg among those aware and treated. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate HTN prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates. HTN prevalence was 45.3% (95% CI: 44.3%-46.2%). Among those with HTN, 66.7% were aware, 65.3% of those aware were treated, and 48.3% of those treated achieved control. Overall, 21.0% (95% CI: 19.9%-22.2%) of adults with HTN were aware, treated, and controlled. Additionally, 29.6% of all participants met criteria for prehypertension (SBP 120-139 mmHg or DBP 80-89 mmHg). In conclusion, in low-resource communities of Chicago, only 21.0% of participants with HTN were aware, treated, and controlled, indicating significant gaps in HTN management. Findings are limited by convenience sampling, single-visit BP measurement, and missing data on medication use, which may lead to underestimation of treatment and control rates.