AMA Successfully Implements AMA MAP BP Program at Cook County Health

In an announcement released on January 11, 2023, the AMA announced that its quality improvement program for managing blood pressure (BP), AMA MAP BP, has been successfully implemented across Cook County Health (CCH). CCH is one of the largest public health systems in the United States, which serves Chicago and the surrounding suburban neighborhoods.

The program is focused on enhancing the response to high blood pressure by providers, care teams, and healthcare organizations. This program has three main elements: measuring, acting, and partnering (MAP). One primary concern is obtaining accurate measurements and actionable data on each patient and across the healthcare system.

This program also urges providers to act rapidly on elevated blood pressure and collaborate to make shared treatment decisions. The final aspect of the program is involving patients in the care process while supporting self-management.

According to the AMA, focusing on these goals and implementing AMA MAP BP across Cook County Health has improved blood pressure by 13% in this program's initial cohort of patients.

In their press release, AMA President Jack Resneck, Jr, MD, acknowledges that the current blood pressure crisis was only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which also shed light on existing inequities. He commented, “Despite the fact that it is widely recognized that uncontrolled blood pressure — the nation’s number one risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and premature death — contributes to nearly 850,000 deaths each year, the percentage of people with controlled blood pressure has been declining for nearly a decade. We know these statistics reflect the fact that many patients and physicians face a variety of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, making it difficult to successfully manage the condition.”

In addition to elevated blood pressure as a side effect of COVID infection, patients who are not vaccinated are at higher risk of blood pressure complications. In a study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, researchers determined that 3.2% of patients experienced abnormal or elevated pressure. A smaller percentage, 0.6%, experienced stage III hypertension or a hypertensive emergency. Researchers have yet to determine the cause of this side effect.

With this data in mind, it is critical to learn how to quickly and reliably manage blood pressure. The AMA MAP BP program may be a valuable tool for healthcare systems. As healthcare organizations continue to implement this program, the AMA will monitor its efficacy. The AMA has also invested $3 million in West Side United, a multi-year partnership to advance health equity. 

Editor's Note: This article has been edited to correct the AMA's financial contributions.