A research article published this month in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings highlights the significant impact of social determinants of health on patients' ability to sustain control of hypertension. This large clinical trial, conducted at Ochsner Health, indicates the need for health systems and society to improve practices and better identify, measure, and address significant health barriers.

The primary goal of the clinical trial was to determine if specific social determinants of health created an otherwise unseen barrier for those seeking blood pressure control. Additionally, the trial sought to determine if hypertension control was significantly different for the Black population as compared to White individuals.