PLoS ONE (Jan 2023)

Assessing the impact of community-based interventions on hypertension and diabetes management in three Minnesota communities: Findings from the prospective evaluation of US HealthRise programs.

  • Nancy Fullman,
  • Krycia Cowling,
  • Luisa S Flor,
  • Shelley Wilson,
  • Paurvi Bhatt,
  • Miranda F Bryant,
  • Joseph N Camarda,
  • Danny V Colombara,
  • Jessica Daly,
  • Rose K Gabert,
  • Katie Panhorst Harris,
  • Casey K Johanns,
  • Charlie Mandile,
  • Susan Marshall,
  • Claire R McNellan,
  • Vasudha Mulakaluri,
  • Bryan K Phillips,
  • Marissa B Reitsma,
  • Naomi Sadighi,
  • Tsega Tamene,
  • Blake Thomson,
  • Alexandra Wollum,
  • Emmanuela Gakidou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279230
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 2
p. e0279230

Abstract

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BackgroundCommunity-based health interventions are increasingly viewed as models of care that can bridge healthcare gaps experienced by underserved communities in the United States (US). With this study, we sought to assess the impact of such interventions, as implemented through the US HealthRise program, on hypertension and diabetes among underserved communities in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Rice Counties, Minnesota.Methods and findingsHealthRise patient data from June 2016 to October 2018 were assessed relative to comparison patients in a difference-in-difference analysis, quantifying program impact on reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and hemoglobin A1c, as well as meeting clinical targets (ConclusionsHealthRise participation had positive effects on improving hypertension and diabetes outcomes at some sites. While community-based health programs can help bridge healthcare gaps, they alone cannot fully address structural inequalities experienced by many underserved communities.