• Ramin Asgary, Blanca Sckell, Analena Alcabes, Ramesh Naderi, Antoinette Schoenthaler, and Gbenga Ogedegbe.
• Departments of Population Health and Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York Community Medicine Program, NYU Lutheran, New York, New York ramin.asgary@caa.columbia.edu.
• Ann Fam Med. 2016 Jan 1; 14 (1): 414641-6.

PurposeWe undertook a study to determine the rates, predictors, and barriers to blood pressure control among homeless and nonhomeless hypertensive adult patients from 10 New York City shelter-based clinics.MethodsThe study was a retrospective chart review of blood pressure measurements, sociodemographic characteristics, and factors associated with homelessness and hypertension extracted from the medical records of a random sample of hypertensive patients (N = 210) in 2014.ResultsMost patients were African American or Hispanic; 24.8% were female, and 84.3% were homeless for a mean duration of 3.07 years (SD = 5.04 years). Homeless adult patients were younger, had less insurance, and were more likely to be a current smoker and alcohol abuser. Of the 210 hypertensive patients, 40.1% of homeless and 33.3% of nonhomeless patients had uncontrolled blood pressure (P = .29) when compared with US rates for hypertensive adults, which range between 19.6% and 24.8%, respectively; 15.8% of homeless patients had stage 2 hypertension (P = .27). Homeless hypertensive patients with diabetes or multiple chronic diseases had better blood pressure control (P <.01). In logistic regression, lack of insurance was associated with inadequate blood pressure control (P <.05).ConclusionsThe high rate of uncontrolled hypertension among hypertensive homeless adults is alarming. We propose comprehensive approaches to improve social support, access to medical insurance, and medication adherence, the lack of which complicate blood pressure control, targeted health education, and life style modifications using mobile health strategies for this mobile population.© 2016 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.

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