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The Impact of COVID-19 on Hypertension and Hypertension Medication Adherence Among Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups: A Scoping Review

  • Blood Pressure Monitoring and Management (J Cockcroft, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To conduct a scoping review of articles which examined the impact of COVID-19 on HTN and HTN medication adherence among underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities.

Recent Findings

Seven studies were included in this review and impact of COVID-19 was examined at 4 levels: patient, provider, health system and society. The results indicated that patient level factors, such as high unemployment and inequitable access to telemedicine due to society factors- lack of access to high-speed Internet and variation in the offering of telehealth by health systems, were most impactful on adherence. Additionally, provider level clinical inertia may have further impacted adherence to HTN medication.

Summary

Our review showed that the COVID-19 pandemic did not introduce new barriers but exacerbated preexisting barriers. Ongoing efforts are needed to change policies at the state and local levels to dismantle inequities in underrepresented communities to ensure access to health care with telemedicine to promote health equity.

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Data Availability

Data analyzed during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.

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Funding

Hayden Bosworth reports research funding through his institution from BeBetter Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Improved Patient Outcomes, Merck, NHLBI, Novo Nordisk, Otsuka, Sanofi, VA. He also provides consulting services for Abbott, Imatar, Novartis, Sanofi, Vidya, Walmart, Webmed. He was also on the board of directors of Preventric Diagnostics. Marva Foster is supported by the VA Office of Research and Development Research (ORD) Supplements to Promote Diversity Award - IIR 18-244, P.I. McInnes. Oluwabunmi Emidio is supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) that is administered in collaboration with the Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) service.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USA

    Marva Foster & Oluwabunmi Emidio

  2. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Marva Foster

  3. VA Boston Healthcare System, Department of Quality Management, 150 S. Huntington Ave., 02130, Boston, MA, USA

    Marva Foster & Anna Etchin

  4. Health Equity & Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC)/COIN, Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, Charleston, SC, USA

    Charlene Pope

  5. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Charlene Pope

  6. VA Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Bedford, MA, USA

    Christine W. Hartmann

  7. Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA

    Christine W. Hartmann

  8. Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Hayden B. Bosworth

  9. Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA

    Hayden B. Bosworth

  10. Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Hayden B. Bosworth

  11. Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC, USA

    Hayden B. Bosworth

  12. Duke University Medical Center, School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA

    Hayden B. Bosworth

  13. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA

    Anna Etchin

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  1. Marva Foster
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Correspondence to Marva Foster.

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Foster, M., Etchin, A., Pope, C. et al. The Impact of COVID-19 on Hypertension and Hypertension Medication Adherence Among Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups: A Scoping Review. Curr Hypertens Rep 25, 385–394 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-023-01262-4

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