Intersecting Health Disparities: Examining Hypertension and Behavioral Health Among Black Adults
Description
High blood pressure (hypertension), a leading modifiable determinant of cardiovascular disease, disproportionately harms Black communities. Social determinants of health (SDoH) restrict access to care and resources, resulting in earlier onset, increased mortality, and heart failure. Alcohol use and mental health conditions further complicate management. As such, a multifactorial approach integrating SDoH and behavioral health may improve cardiovascular outcomes in Black communities.
As a sub-analysis of the Driving Out Racism and Invigorating Equity (DRIVE) study, we investigated the relationship between hypertension, alcohol use, and mental health in community settings throughout Milwaukee. We hypothesized that higher alcohol use would be associated with greater mental health symptom burden and elevated blood pressure.
Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 138.5 mmHg (SD = 20.3) and 86.8 mmHg (SD = 16.5), respectively. Hypertensive participants reported significantly higher alcohol use than those with normal/elevated BP (t(244.19) = - 2.44, p = .015). Alcohol use correlated positively with anxiety (r = 0.22, p < .001) and depression (r = 0.23, p < .001), but not with pain interference or self-efficacy.
Our findings affirm the interplay between mental and physical health and cardiovascular outcomes. These interrelated pathways are bound to structural racism, shaping the distribution of disease by curtailing effective BP management and accelerating cardiovascular deterioration. Approaches to disparity reduction must account for these contextual factors and integrate blood pressure management within holistic care, such as behavioral health support and substance use.
Citation Information
Kayser, Anna; deRoon-Cassini, Terri A.; Harris, Jennifer; Larson, Christine; Tomas, Carissa W.; Torres, Lucas; and Timmer-Murillo, Sydney, "Intersecting Health Disparities: Examining Hypertension and Behavioral Health Among Black Adults" (2026). Office of Research DMU Research Symposium. 32.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/researchsymposium/2025rs/2025abstracts/32
Intersecting Health Disparities: Examining Hypertension and Behavioral Health Among Black Adults
High blood pressure (hypertension), a leading modifiable determinant of cardiovascular disease, disproportionately harms Black communities. Social determinants of health (SDoH) restrict access to care and resources, resulting in earlier onset, increased mortality, and heart failure. Alcohol use and mental health conditions further complicate management. As such, a multifactorial approach integrating SDoH and behavioral health may improve cardiovascular outcomes in Black communities.
As a sub-analysis of the Driving Out Racism and Invigorating Equity (DRIVE) study, we investigated the relationship between hypertension, alcohol use, and mental health in community settings throughout Milwaukee. We hypothesized that higher alcohol use would be associated with greater mental health symptom burden and elevated blood pressure.
Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 138.5 mmHg (SD = 20.3) and 86.8 mmHg (SD = 16.5), respectively. Hypertensive participants reported significantly higher alcohol use than those with normal/elevated BP (t(244.19) = - 2.44, p = .015). Alcohol use correlated positively with anxiety (r = 0.22, p < .001) and depression (r = 0.23, p < .001), but not with pain interference or self-efficacy.
Our findings affirm the interplay between mental and physical health and cardiovascular outcomes. These interrelated pathways are bound to structural racism, shaping the distribution of disease by curtailing effective BP management and accelerating cardiovascular deterioration. Approaches to disparity reduction must account for these contextual factors and integrate blood pressure management within holistic care, such as behavioral health support and substance use.
