Hypertension, a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke, affects nearly half of U.S. adults, according to the 2024 American Heart Association Statistical Update. This condition incurs over $52 billion annually in healthcare costs. In response to this widespread issue, the Target: BP™ initiative was launched in 2015 by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association.

The initiative aims to support healthcare organizations in improving blood pressure (BP) control through professional education and resources based on evidence-based care frameworks. Each year, organizations are recognized with awards for their commitment to achieving BP control rates of 70% or higher among patients.

This year, participants in Target: BP represent 47 states or U.S. territories, serving over 34 million patients, including 9 million individuals with hypertension. Nearly half of these organizations are federally qualified health centers that focus on medically underserved populations, highlighting a commitment to health equity.

More than half of the recognized organizations achieved Gold or Gold+ award levels for maintaining BP control rates above 70%. About 41% received Silver recognition for meeting specific criteria, while others were acknowledged at the Participation level for submitting data and committing to improvement efforts.

Keith Churchwell, M.D., FAHA, president of the American Heart Association and associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of programs like Target: BP in closing gaps in hypertension control through patient education on managing risk factors such as lifestyle choices and family history.

Since its inception in 2017, more than 4,150 healthcare organizations have joined Target: BP to prioritize heart health across the nation. AMA President Bruce A. Scott underscored the necessity of providing Americans access to quality healthcare and equipping physicians with tools for better hypertension management.

New award levels and criteria will be introduced in 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to enhance recognition standards within the initiative.

Further details about Target: BP can be accessed at TargetBP.org.