Hypertension in an inner-city minority population

This study describes an inner-city elderly minority population's awareness of hypertension and health perception compared with that of a younger hypertensive population. The elderly African American sample had a mean age of 71.6 years and systolic blood pressure of m = 143 mm Hg SD = 21. The younger sample averaged lower systolic readings (m = 129 mm Hg SD = 20). Overall health perception of both groups was positive (64%). Over 60% of the older people had been told that they were hypertensive. Because of the high percentage of aware hypertensive subjects on treatment, interventions focused on treatment adherence. Using the diffusion model, community awareness and strategies to remind people about their blood pressure were the focal interventions.