Five-year study to compare health system-level interventions for hypertension treatment while reducing racial health disparities in treatment
BOSTON – Boston Medical Center (BMC) researchers have been approved for $19 million in research funding by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) for Boston Hypertension Equity Alliance in Treatment (BHEAT), a five-year study focused on improving hypertension control and reducing associated health disparities.
Hypertension affects nearly half of adults in the United States and increases the risk of co-morbidities such as heart disease, kidney disease, or stroke. Studies have shown that patients from historically marginalized communities are less likely to receive effective treatments and gain control of their blood pressure. BMC Health System is dedicated to advancing discoveries that improve health equity and outcomes for our patient communities in order to alleviate the burden of chronic conditions.
Over the next five years, the research team at BMC, with the support of community partners, will compare the effectiveness of different health system strategies for improving hypertension management and reducing the known disparities in treatment outcomes.
Led by Michael Fischer, MD, MS, Chief of the Section of General Internal Medicine at BMC, the BHEAT study will be conducted in partnership with Boston HealthNet community health centers, including the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, East Boston Neighborhood Community Health Center, Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center, Manet Community Health Center, and Mattapan Community Health Center. Cheryl Clark, MD, ScD, Executive Director of the Institute for Health Equity Research, Evaluation & Policy at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers will serve as co-Principal Investigator. BHEAT will include collaboration with patient advisors, community representatives, and local and national healthcare organizations to ensure that interventions support sustainable outcomes for patient populations.
“BMC is dedicated to modeling inclusive research. We look forward to co-creating and rigorously evaluating innovative approaches to hypertension treatment that can reduce the impact of this condition on the communities we serve,” says Fischer. “By intentionally partnering with our patients and communities throughout the BHEAT study, we aim to identify effective long-term solutions for one of the most significant conditions affecting adult patient populations across the country.”
Funding for the BHEAT study will advance BMC’s continued work to develop models for healthcare delivery where clinical and operational innovation meets health equity and access.
“This study was selected for PCORI funding for its potential to answer the need for real-world evidence to enable optimal use of the effective health system strategies available to eliminate disparities in blood pressure control and related health problems that stem from uncontrolled hypertension,” said PCORI Executive Director Nakela L. Cook, MD, MPH. “We look forward to following the study’s progress and working with Boston Medical Center to share the results.”
This award has been approved pending completion of a business and programmatic review by PCORI staff and issuance of a formal award contract.
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About Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center models a new kind of excellence in healthcare, where innovative and equitable care empowers all patients to thrive. We combine world-class clinicians and cutting-edge treatments with compassionate, quality care that extends beyond our walls. As an award-winning health equity leader, our diverse clinicians and staff interrogate racial disparities in care and partner with our community to dismantle systemic inequities. And as a national leader in research and the teaching affiliate for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, we’re driving the future of care.