Black women have the highest rates of hypertension among women in the U.S., with nearly 57% affected. Guided by the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) framework, collective action, and systems thinking, this joint initiative will address the root causes and barriers to hypertension prevalence and control. 

“This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to close the health gap in Black communities,” said Melicia Whitt – Glover, Executive Director of The Council on Black Health. “By engaging the community and addressing both individual behavior and systemic barriers, we are creating sustainable change that will improve cardiovascular health and reduce health disparities for Black women.”

A diverse group of community stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience, will collaborate to identify the policies, systems, environments, and social determinants impacting health outcomes for Black women. The project will integrate individual-level behavior change interventions with collective community actions to eliminate the barriers hindering hypertension control. 

“The Health Gap has a long standing history of working to improve health in this community. We are working to help make the healthy choice the easy choice by understanding what’s getting in the way of people being able to make healthy choices so we create structures and systems that work for us,” said Renee Mahaffey Harris, President and CEO, The Center for Closing the Health Gap.

Over the next three years, CBH, CCHG, and a wide network of Cincinnati-based stakeholders will work together to execute this action plan, aiming to reduce hypertension, promote heart health, and dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent Black women from achieving optimal cardiovascular health.

“HealthPath Foundation of Ohio remains deeply committed to advancing health equity and improving the quality of life for all Ohioans,” said Kiana R. Trabue, President of HealthPath. “Through our partnership with the Center for Closing the Health Gap and Council on Black Health, we are working together to combat hypertension among Black women, tackle health disparities, and drive meaningful, lasting change in the communities we serve.”

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About The Council on Black Health

The Council on Black Health (CBH) is a research and action network dedicated to advancing Black health through thought leadership and a national agenda. By focusing on partnerships, research, policy advocacy, and long-term impact, CBH works to address both the social and political determinants of health and chronic disease outcomes. The organization brings together academic researchers, community partners, and leaders from across the U.S. to tackle the factors influencing Black health and promote healthier communities. www.councilbh.org