Target: BP™ Initiative Recognizes Over 1,800 Healthcare Organizations for Combatting Hypertension

The fight against hypertension, a leading preventable risk factor for heart disease and stroke, has seen a significant advancement with the recognition of 1,812 healthcare organizations by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association through their Target: BP™ initiative. This marks an increase of 103 organizations from the previous year, showcasing a growing commitment to addressing high blood pressure, which affects nearly half of U.S. adults and contributes to over $52 billion in annual healthcare costs.

Launched in 2015, the Target: BP initiative utilizes American Heart Association science and the AMA MAP™ framework to assist healthcare organizations in enhancing blood pressure control. The program offers professional education, practice tools, and resources, with organizations recognized annually for their dedication to improvement, adoption of evidence-based care, and achieving control rates of 70% or higher among patients. This year's recognized organizations, serving over 34 million patients including 9 million with hypertension, span 47 states or U.S. territories, with nearly half being federally qualified health centers aimed at improving health equity.

The initiative's impact is evident in the recognition levels achieved, with over half of the organizations receiving Gold or Gold+ awards for control rates of 70% or higher, and 41% earning Silver recognition. Dr. Keith Churchwell, American Heart Association volunteer president, highlighted the program's role in combating the 'silent killer' nature of hypertension through patient awareness and education. Since its inception, over 4,150 organizations have joined the movement, contributing to the fight against heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Dr. Bruce A. Scott, AMA President, emphasized the need for collective action to ensure all Americans have access to quality healthcare and the tools necessary for blood pressure control. The initiative plans to introduce new award levels in 2025 to further motivate and recognize efforts in this critical area. The success of Target: BP underscores the importance of addressing hypertension as a public health priority, with the potential to significantly improve cardiovascular health outcomes nationwide.