HHS launches 2015 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the launch of its annual Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge, intended to recognize clinicians and health care teams who help patients control high BP, according to a press release.

The CDC developed the challenge as part of Million Hearts, an HHS initiative to prevent 1 million MI and stroke events by 2017. The program honors practices and care providers with sustained BP control rates of 70% or higher, according to the release.

Since the inception of the program in 2012, 41 public or private practices or providers have been recognized as “Champions” through the Million Hearts challenge. Past winners incorporated a variety of evidence-based strategies for BP control, including self-measured BP monitoring, health information technology and team-based care, according to the release.

“A growing number of public and private practices and systems are using evidence-based strategies to detect, connect and control high [BP],” Janet S. Wright, MD, FACC, executive director of Million Hearts, said in the release. “This challenge is a way to find and celebrate these high performers and help others replicate their success. By excelling in hypertension control, Champions are helping prevent events and improving heart health across the country.”

Nominations for the challenge are being accepted through Oct. 31, according to the release. Applicants must provide information about the practice, as well as verifiable hypertension control data and a description of how the use of health information technology, such as electronic health records, contributed to their success.

Nomination forms and additional information are available at the Million Hearts website.