PRESS RELEASE
Contacts: Susan Rochman
susan.l.rochman@kp.org
415-265-2418
Lauren Davitt
lauren.davitt@mboothhealth.com
212-886-2228
OAKLAND, Calif. — Culturally tailored lifestyle coaching can help Black adults with hypertension improve their blood pressure control, new Kaiser Permanente research shows. Improving blood pressure control is key to reducing risk for stroke, heart attack, and other hypertension-related health problems.
“Black adults have the highest rates of high blood pressure in the United States, and, for reasons we don’t fully understand, it starts at a younger age and results in strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and other serious hypertension-related health problems occurring at an earlier age as well,” said the study’s senior author, Stephen Sidney, MD, MPH, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. “We know how to treat high blood pressure with medication, but there is also a huge role that behavior change can play in prevention and treatment. This study was a tremendous opportunity to see if we had an intervention that could change behaviors and get blood pressure under control.”
The study, published May 18 in JAMA Network Open, included 1,761 Black adults with high blood pressure who were members of Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. The patients joined 1 of 3 groups: usual care; usual care and a 12-month enhanced medication management program; or usual care and a 12-month coaching program of 16 phone sessions with a registered dietitian who talked to them about their diet choices and helped them lower their salt intake by adhering to the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan. Then, the researchers analyzed the impact the programs had on blood pressure control at 12, 24, and 48 months post-enrollment.
Statistical analyses showed no significant difference in blood pressure control among the 3 groups after 12 months. However, at both the 24-month and the 48-month mark, blood pressure control was significantly better among the patients who had received the lifestyle coaching than it was among patients in the enhanced medication management program or the usual care only group. At 24 months post-enrollment, 72.4% of the patients who received lifestyle coaching had controlled blood pressure, compared with 67.6% of the patients in the enhanced medication management program and 61.2% of patients receiving usual care. At 48 months the differences were sustained, with 73.1% of the patients in the lifestyle coaching group showing controlled blood pressure compared with 66.5% of the patients in the enhanced medication management program and 64.5% of the patients receiving usual care.
“We had hoped that a 12-month coaching program could help people learn how to start a healthy, low-salt eating plan,” said lead author Mai N. Nguyen-Huynh, MD, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research and the Kaiser Permanente Northern California regional medical director for primary stroke for The Permanente Medical Group. “But what was really eye-opening was learning that after the 1-year program ended these patients continued to have better blood pressure control, perhaps by sticking with the lifestyle changes they had learned — even though we had no contact with them.”
Black adults have significantly higher rates of high blood pressure than white, Latino, and Asian adults, and lower rates of blood pressure control. High blood pressure can cause damage to the arteries throughout the body, increasing the risk of a heart attack, stroke, dementia, or heart failure. The new study was funded through a national effort aimed at developing programs to reduce stroke disparities in racial, ethnic, rural, or lower socioeconomic populations.
The researchers said they believe their findings could lead to the introduction of similar programs that can help Black adults learn about dietary changes that improve blood pressure control. “This research opens up the door for the creation of programs that could be offered on a larger scale that implement the principles of coaching for behavioral change that we have shown can be effective,” said Dr. Sidney.
Added Dr. Nguyen-Huynh: “This is the only trial that has shown that a lifestyle coaching intervention can bring about changes that lead to better blood pressure control long after the intervention has ended. We’ve learned from the participants’ feedback what they felt were the most helpful aspects of the program, and we can use them to guide our next steps.”
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.
We urge Congress to extend policies that have improved access to care and …
Indigenous farmworkers may qualify for new Kaiser Permanente coverage.
As a 2024 top Military Friendly Employer, Kaiser Permanente supports veterans …
An interview with Kaiser Permanente sleep expert Clarisse Glen, MD, sheds …
A Kaiser Permanente physician thought he pinched a nerve during a tennis …
The foods we eat play a role in risk factors that can lead to disease.
Endless bad news is just one fingertip away online. One Kaiser Permanente …
The 2023 Kaiser Permanente Southern California Community Health County …
HuffPost
In honor of National Voter Registration Day, we encourage everyone who …
After a life-threatening series of heart attacks at age 57, Bunnell Fockler …
Taking time to focus while you eat can help you avoid overeating.
Support from a dedicated care team helps Tiffany Anonye breastfeed her …
These guidelines ensure we use artificial intelligence tools that are safe …
Ed Dalmasso needed an aortic valve replacement. His care team provided …
A $1.5 million Kaiser Permanente grant addresses Colorado teacher shortage …
A Southern California program, powered by our connected care model, is …
Funding from Kaiser Permanente in Washington helps to promote mental health, …
Kaiser Permanente and the Los Angeles Football Club will launch the second …
Prescription drugs are unaffordable for millions of people. With the right …
Health care leaders and policymakers should each play their part to help …
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
Black Americans experience worse health outcomes compared to other populations …
Virtual cardiac rehab helped Mike Kelly heal at home after a life-threatening …
Medical Financial Assistance program supports access to health care.
Kaiser Permanente excels in preventing, detecting, and treating kidney …
Colorado musician back with the band thanks to new virtual cardiac rehab …
Bill Coggins, who founded the Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning …
Kaiser Permanente physicians and medical students provide medical exams …
Care teams at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center helped Phillip Crawford …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
Kaiser Permanente opens medical offices and a new home for the Watts Counselin …
One of the best ways to prevent future heart conditions is knowing what …
Tookie Gentilcore returns to enjoying life thanks to a quick, safe method …
People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease.
Kaiser Permanente’s Patient Advisory Councils help us create exceptional …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates inclusion at Special Olympics Southern California …
In Oregon, our stroke teams are providing patients with industry-leading …
Following a COVID-19-related hospital stay, Robert DeLeon took charge of …
We offer housing-related legal help to prevent evictions and remove barriers …
Steady employment can improve a person's health and well-being. Our new …
Dr. Yong Shin shares how people with heart disease can live longer, while …
The use of a ventricular assist device implant gives one Oregon woman the …
Our Advanced Care at Home program provides high-quality, safe care in familiar …
It’s never too late to quit smoking. At Kaiser Permanente, we can help …
To help develop talented, diverse community leaders, Kaiser Permanente …
The next phase for the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research …
Fit and focused, an Oregon father and runner rebounds after an aortic valve …
For years, serious heart attacks meant hours of weekly appointments. Now, …
Excessive heat and pollution can increase your risk of experiencing dangerous …
Stories in the Department of Research & Evaluation 2022 Annual Report demonstr …
A new location-based vaccine strategy by Kaiser Permanente was successful …
A Kaiser Permanente cardiologist shares advice on how to stay safe, what …
The Kaiser Permanente Southern California 2022 Community Health Snapshot …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
The Kaiser Permanente Community Support Hub can help members find community …
The Kaiser Permanente and 211 LA partnership makes strides in improving …
Kaiser Permanente addresses the Supreme Court decision on LGBTQIA+ protections …
Kaiser Permanente addresses the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action …
Kaiser Permanente celebrated its sixth year as official health partner …
It’s important to be proactive about your health by scheduling regular …
Kaiser Permanente's support of Inner City Capital Connections program helps …
A reminder that men and women can assert control over risk factors that …
The Achievable Foundation recognized Kaiser Permanente for its work to …
New climate collaborative with BSR announced at joint Kaiser Permanente …
Kaiser Permanente member Debbie Hoisch encourages people to know the warning …
The annual Seattle King County Clinic brings health care to low-income …
After experiencing a stroke, K-9 handler Lameka Bell regained near-total …
Kaiser Permanente supports Asian Americans Advancing Justice to promote …
We value and respect employees and physicians of all backgrounds, identities, …
We strive for equity and inclusion for all.
Early women workers at the Kaiser shipyards diversified home front World …
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center recognized by the Women’s Choice …
Kaiser Permanente is confronting future health care staffing challenges …
When thousands of women industrial workers, often called “Rosies,” joined …
Gestational diabetes poses a significant risk to women of color, particularly …
Remote perinatal monitoring and frequent in-person appointments helped …
With the COVID-19 public health emergency ending, states, community organizati …
Kaiser Permanente launches new mobile health vehicle on Oahu.
With medical-legal partnerships, we’re helping prevent evictions.
A Kaiser Permanente program connects patients experiencing homelessness …
We’re partnering on 3 initiatives to strengthen public health in the United …
Reentering society after serving time can land people in unhealthy situations. …
Organizations that receive this recognition improve communities, build …
Kaiser Permanente in Southern California partners with San Diego Wave Fútbol …
Kaiser Permanente awards $80,000 in grants for health policy and community …
New research shows blood pressure patterns early in pregnancy can identify …
Kaiser Permanente study of 3.7 million adults provides support for strengtheni …
Expert shares 5 valuable tips for parents and guardians to help children …
Kaiser Permanente supports total health in our communities in partnership …
Kaiser Permanente supports 3 Hawaii-based nonprofits.
Kaiser Permanente invests $3.3 million to build healthy social connections …
When a Kaiser Permanente member discovered she had an irregular heartbeat …
When a stroke happens, minutes matter, and Kaiser Permanente treats strokes …
Making key pandemic-era telehealth policies permanent and ensuring more …
To meaningfully improve health equity, we must shift our focus to outcomes …
Explore Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to equitable, culturally responsive …
We believe everyone has a right to good health.
Kaiser Permanente research finds that patient intervention is linked to …
A statement of support from Kaiser Permanente chair and CEO Greg A. Adams …