Industrial hypertension control program in a rural state

C. C. Walworth and R. C. Charman

Many problems remain in attempting to improve the detection and management of hypertension in the United States. This study applied a previously established model community hypertension program to a wide geographic area in a rural state. In 47 industries in 18 communities, 15,689 subjects were screened for the presence of hypertension. Eight hundred five subjects were found to have an elevated blood pressure on three separate occasions and were classified for further management. Follow-up showed that 76% visited their physicians within six months, and of these 81% were being observed. Sixty-seven percent of the subjects who saw their physicians were receiving antihypertensive drug therapy. The cost of finding each subject with an elevated blood pressure was $80 and of identifying a subject who received drug therapy, $160.