The University of Florida Health is launching a new pharmacist-led program aimed at reducing racial disparities in hypertension control among African American adults in Jacksonville. The initiative, backed by a $3 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will train pharmacists to provide personalized medication management and lifestyle counseling to 500 African American patients with uncontrolled hypertension over the next three years.
African Americans are disproportionately affected by hypertension, with higher rates of the condition and poorer blood pressure control compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The program seeks to address these disparities by leveraging the expertise of pharmacists, who are often underutilized in hypertension management.
“This program has the potential to make a significant impact on health equity in our community,” said Dr. Folakemi Odedina, principal investigator and professor of pharmacotherapy and translational research at the UF College of Pharmacy. “By empowering pharmacists to play a larger role in hypertension care, we can improve access to treatment and support for African American patients who have historically faced barriers to optimal blood pressure control.”
The program will be implemented at five UF Health pharmacies in Jacksonville, with plans to expand to additional locations if successful. Participating pharmacists will receive specialized training in hypertension management and cultural competency to better serve the needs of African American patients.
See “UF Health to launch CDC-backed hypertension pharmacists program in Jacksonville” (May 22, 2024)
