Impact of the National Essential Public Health Services Policy on Hypertension Control in China

Abstract BACKGROUND Hypertension remains a severe challenge to population health worldwide. This study assessed the impact of a nationwide program in China—Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) on improvement of hypertension treatment and control. METHODS A cohort of hypertensive patients was identified from the 2011–2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Hypertension was defined based on: (i) an average systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mm Hg, and/or an average diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mm Hg; and/or (ii) currently taking antihypertensive medications. Outcomes assessed included the rate of hypertension control, medication use, and blood pressure monitoring at a doctor’s office. The key independent variable was defined as whether one received services from the EPHS-covered physical examination by 2013. Probit regression models with a difference-in-difference approach were performed for each of the 3 outcomes. Data were analyzed in 2017. RESULTS Among the 4,958 hypertensive patients, 404 (8.1%) received the EPHS-covered service by 2013. Coverage by the EPHS program was associated with an increase of 7.9% in hypertension control rate (SE = 2.9%, P = 0.020), an increase of 10.3% in the rate of medication use (SE = 2.5%, P < 0.001), and an increase of 10.5% in the rate of blood pressure monitoring (SE = 2.5%, P < 0.001). Results also showed that the EPHS program helped mitigate the geographic disparities in access to health services such as blood pressure monitoring. CONCLUSIONS The National EPHS program improved the treatment and control among hypertension patients. Expanding its program reach could further benefit the cardiovascular health of the population.