A recent NIH-funded study has highlighted the concerning link between adverse social determinants of health and treatment-resistant hypertension in Black Americans. The study suggests that addressing these factors could potentially reduce health disparities within the population.

The research found that individuals were more susceptible to developing treatment-resistant hypertension when exposed to negative economic and social conditions that impact health status, known as social determinants of health. This risk was notably higher among Black American adults compared to their white counterparts.

Various factors were identified as contributing to this increased risk, including lower education levels, household income below $35,000, lack of social support, absence of caregiving assistance when ill or disabled, lack of health insurance, residence in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and living in states with limited public health infrastructure.

Treatment-resistant hypertension, characterized by the need for three or more types of anti-high blood pressure medication daily, is associated with a heightened risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and overall mortality.

During the 9.5-year study period, 24% of Black adults developed treatment-resistant hypertension, compared to 15.9% of white adults. Exposure to adverse social determinants of health amplified the risk for both groups, with Black adults facing a higher likelihood of encountering these challenges.

Researchers emphasize that by addressing social determinants of health, it may be possible to mitigate the racial disparities observed in treatment-resistant hypertension and decrease the elevated risk of stroke and heart attack among the Black American population.

The study analyzed data from 2,257 Black and 2,774 white adults as part of a larger research initiative involving over 30,000 Americans, with a significant portion residing in the ‘Stroke Belt’ region of the southeastern United States, known for its elevated stroke mortality rates.

The NINDS Office of Global Health and Health Disparities is actively working on strategies to promote health equity within the institute. In August 2023, a publication featuring 10 manuscripts, including recommendations for addressing social determinants of health, was released. The NINDS’s ongoing Mind Your Risks® campaign, launched in 2016, underscores the connection between high blood pressure and dementia, particularly among Black men aged 28-4