How can local health departments bring cardiovascular health resources to residents who may not regularly engage with the healthcare system?
This week's Learning Spotlight features the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and its partnership with the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County to help FQHCs improve hypertension care. Together, they are strengthening clinical workflows, integrating social needs into care, and expanding support for patients through quality improvement and community partnerships.
📖 Read the Story from the Field:
*New* Stories from the Field: Building Heart-Healthy Communities
Key Strategies
- Partnered with CCALAC to provide quality improvement coaching to six FQHC systems.
- Improved hypertension care by integrating social needs screening and health information technology into clinical workflows.
- Expanded self-measured blood pressure monitoring with medication management, lifestyle counseling, and social services navigation.
- Connected patients with food, transportation, and other community resources through local partnerships.
- Created Affinity Groups where participating clinics share strategies, challenges, and lessons learned.
Results & Impact
- Six FQHC systems launched quality improvement projects tailored to their patient populations.
- Clinics strengthened care coordination and referral pathways to better connect patients with health and social services.
- Affinity Groups fostered peer learning, collaboration, and sustainable approaches to hypertension care.
- Participating clinics are making progress toward improving hypertension control while building long-term capacity.
Lessons for Local Health Departments
💡 Strengthen systems of care. Improving workflows and care coordination can enhance hypertension management.
💡 Address health and social needs together. Connecting patients with community resources can help remove barriers to managing blood pressure.
💡 Learn from partners. Peer learning and collaboration can accelerate quality improvement and sustainability.
Join the Discussion!
Has your health department partnered with healthcare organizations to strengthen hypertension care? We’d love to hear what’s worked well, what challenges you’ve encountered, or what partnerships you’d like to build. Add your comment below!
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Johanna Segovia, MPH
Program Analyst
National Association of County and City Health Officials
1201 Eye Street, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202)-463-8617
Email:
jsegovia@naccho.org------------------------------