Using Local Data on Adults Aged 18 to 64 to Tailor Interventions for Blood Pressure Medication Adherence in Maine.
Maine, population health, medication adherence, chronic disease, hypertension, epidemiology
Preventing chronic disease [electronic resource]
Maps showing US state-level data help researchers understand the geographic distribution of chronic disease burden. As public health analysts refine spatial analysis skills, sub-state analyses are sought to determine how to tailor interventions to specific populations so that public health programs can use limited funds most effectively. A workgroup at the Division of Disease Prevention at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) created a map to determine where and how to administer public health programs among adults aged 18 to 64 to increase adherence to antihypertensive medication regimens, ultimately influencing hypertension control rates.
Suggested action: Maine CDC could use data presented in the map to focus future tailored interventions in pharmacies located in counties with significantly lower adherence rates and replicate successful practices in York County pharmacies to improve medication adherence. Maine CDC can help implement self-measured blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle change programs, or telehealth interventions on the basis of local population density. Self-measured blood pressure monitoring and telehealth may be beneficial in areas with low population density because in-person lifestyle change programs may be less effective if patients live far away from a retail pharmacy. Applying all 3 approaches in densely populated areas could improve medication adherence and hypertension control for a high proportion of the state’s younger adult population (18–64 y).
Funding Organization or Grant
Pizzonia C, Pied D, Huston SL, Albert PF, Parent G, Morse N. Using Local Data on Adults Aged 18 to 64 to Tailor Interventions for Blood Pressure Medication Adherence in Maine. Prev Chronic Dis 2019;16:180456. DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.5888/pcd16.180456.