HARTFORD, CT – Aetna Medicaid, a CVS Health® company, and the National Association of Community Health Centers announced today a new partnership to improve blood pressure control rates among selected Aetna Medicaid communities.
According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, with many unaware of their condition. This collaboration targets regions where data show the greatest potential to enhance health outcomes, focusing on specific populations living with hypertension in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Virginia.
CHCs deliver measurable hypertension outcomes. In 2024, CHCs cared for more than 6 million people with hypertension. Despite serving populations with high clinical and social complexity, 67 percent of CHCs’ patients with hypertension achieved blood pressure control, demonstrating CHCs' ability to deliver strong, measurable hypertension outcomes at scale.
“Medicaid members face a range of clinical and social factors that can make it harder to manage hypertension, from access to primary care to challenges with transportation, housing and healthy food,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Chief Medical Officer for Aetna Medicaid. “By collaborating with NACHC and community health centers, we can combine data, on-the-ground expertise, and evidence-based tools to better support blood pressure control and help members live longer, healthier lives.”
The collaboration showcases both organizations’ dedication to lowering high blood pressure through NACHC’s innovation and partnership model, which utilizes science, education, practice, and policy. Using this model, NACHC and Aetna will identify gaps and best practices, offer patient care education and resources, promote evidence-based interventions, and guide the development of new clinical policies to improve blood pressure control rates over time.
“Community Health Centers are uniquely positioned to close gaps in hypertension care because they are effective, trusted providers,” said Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President and CEO of NACHC. “Working with Aetna Medicaid, we will scale proven strategies that meet people where they are, strengthen primary care teams, and address the factors that contribute to uncontrolled blood pressure.”
CHCs make up the largest primary health care system in the United States, serving 52 million people, or 1 in 7 Americans. With a workforce of 326,000 FTEs, CHCs deliver affordable, comprehensive, and effective primary care to patients in rural, urban and suburban communities, ensuring access to primary, dental and behavioral health care, regardless of income, insurance status or geography.
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