Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012
This Week's News
New school year an opportunity to inspire tomorrow's physicians
Physicians unite in urging Congress to nullify 2 percent Medicare sequester
Webinar to explain how to navigate Medicare and Medicaid audits
CDC: 36 million Americans don't have high blood pressure under control
This Week's News
CDC: 36 million Americans don't have high blood pressure under control
A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that nearly one in three American adults has high blood pressure, and more than half of them don't have it under control.
The Vital Signs report also found that the majority of people with high blood pressure are being treated with medicine and have seen a physician twice in the past year but still do not have their condition under control. Millions of others with hypertension aren't being treated with medicine or are unaware that they have high blood pressure.
"We have to roll up our sleeves and make blood pressure control a priority every day, with every patient, at every doctor's visit," CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, MD, said in a news release. "With increased focus and collaboration among patients, health care providers and health care systems, we can help 10 million Americans' blood pressure come into control in the next five years."
The CDC is collaborating with the AMA and dozens of other groups on the Million Hearts™ initiative, which aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.
In addition, the AMA's Healthier Life Steps® program helps physicians and patients work together to make important lifestyle changes that impact blood pressure, including healthy eating, physical activity and smoking cessation. Physicians can download a program guide, a patient assessment, action plans, tracking calendars and materials on counseling patients about maintaining a healthy weight.
Physicians can take the Healthy Lifestyles pledge to express their commitment to helping patients lead healthier lives.
As part of its new strategic direction, the AMA is honing its efforts to track and improve health outcomes. Read a brief overview to learn more.
