Innovative Approaches to Hypertension Management in High-Risk Emergency Department Populations

This single-center, single-arm quasi-experimental study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of a community health worker (CHW)-led intervention to address social determinants of health (SDOH) among emergency department patients with hypertension. At enrollment, participants (N=15) will complete standardized SDOH surveys in REDCap, and CHWs will facilitate referrals to local community-based organizations that address identified social needs. With participant consent, the study will also include medical record review through EPIC and Healthix to evaluate healthcare utilization-including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient encounters-during the one-year period before and after the index ED visit.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years and older who reside in the 5 boroughs of NYC, * whom speak English or Spanish, * have a known diagnosis of hypertension, and * have uncontrolled hypertension, defined as two measures of systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg obtained during their ED visit. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are unable to consent, * pregnant patients, * patients with a history of end stage renal disease, a history of heart failure or a BMI of greater than 50.