A Closer Look at African American Men and High Blood Pressure Control

A Review of Psychosocial Factors and Systems-Level Interventions

High blood pressure affects about 1 in 3 adults in the United States. This condition, also known as the "silent killer," increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Because high blood pressure control is a public health priority, several CDC efforts (e.g., State Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) programs, WISEWOMAN, Coverdell, etc.) are supported through funding and provision of technical assistance. In addition, eliminating health disparities among various segments of the population are also a CDC priority and a Healthy People 2010 goal.

African American men are disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), with one of the risk factors being uncontrolled high blood pressure. A heightened response is required due to the disparities in high blood pressure control in African American men. In order to provide a resource for public health programs, including the State HDSP programs, that addresses high blood pressure control in this population, the book A Closer Look at African American Men and High Blood Pressure Control: A Review of Psychosocial Factors and Systems-Level Interventions was created. Tthe book and executive summary consist of the following information:

• Burden data pertaining to African American men and high blood pressure.
• Effective and culturally appropriate promising practices and interventions.
• A list of men's health informational resources.

Public health programs that desire to develop, implement, expand, or evaluate interventions targeting African American men can use these documents to gain additional insight and direction.

Download the Publication

• A Closer Look at African American Men and High Blood Pressure Control—Executive Summary [PDF–1.5M]
• A Closer Look at African American Men and High Blood Pressure Control [PDF–2.2M]