MMWR: Prevalence of Self-Reported Hypertension and Antihypertensive Medication Use by County and Rural-Urban Classification — United States, 2017

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Prevalence of hypertension increases with age, is higher among men and among non-Hispanic blacks, and has been consistently higher in the Southeastern region of the United States.

What is added by this report?

The unadjusted prevalence of hypertension was 40.0% in the most rural areas and 29.4% in the most urban areas. County-level prevalence of hypertension ranged from 18.0% to 55.0% (highest in the Southeast and Appalachia). County-level prevalence of antihypertensive medication use (among persons reporting hypertension) ranged from 54.4% to 84.7% (highest in the Southeast).

What are the implications for public health practice?

CDC is working with states to improve hypertension treatment and control through team-based care interventions that include the increased use of telemedicine.