Aetna NACHC Partnership Tackles High Blood Pressure

A groundbreaking partnership between Aetna Medicaid and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) aims to address hypertension rates in select Aetna Medicaid member communities, according to a recent news release. This collaboration represents a strategic effort to combat one of America’s most pervasive yet preventable health crises through targeted community-based interventions.

The Silent Epidemic Affecting Millions

In the United States, nearly half (48%) of adults have high blood pressure, but approximately only 1 in 5 adults realize they have it, which has earned hypertension the ominous nickname “the silent killer.” In 2023, it was the contributing or primary cause of death in 664,470 individuals—a staggering statistic that underscores the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies.

Beyond mortality, uncontrolled hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other serious complications that can diminish quality of life. The cardiovascular consequences of untreated high blood pressure create a cascade of health problems that affect multiple organ systems and often require extensive medical management.

Economic Burden of Hypertension

High blood pressure is also expensive. Annually, it costs the United States between $131 billion and $219 billion, placing a significant burden on both families and the broader health care system. These costs include direct medical expenses, lost productivity, and long-term disability care, making hypertension prevention and control a critical economic priority.

Geographic Disparities in Blood Pressure Control

Hypertension is more common in certain areas of the country, particularly in underserved and rural communities where access to consistent care may be limited. These geographic health disparities reflect broader inequities in healthcare infrastructure, provider availability, and social determinants that influence cardiovascular health outcomes.

For this reason, this initiative will focus on Aetna Medicaid members living in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Virginia—states where community health centers have established strong networks and where hypertension rates remain persistently elevated among vulnerable populations.

NACHC’s Proven Track Record

The NACHC is a non-profit healthcare organization founded in 1965. Their Community Health Centers (CHC) serve 1 in 7 Americans, making them the largest health care system in the United States. There are more than 17,000 sites today that provide primary, preventive and long-term care for individuals regardless of their ability to pay.

In 2024, CHCs cared for more than 6 million patients with hypertension and reduced blood pressure in 67% of patients—demonstrating the effectiveness of their comprehensive, patient-centered approach to chronic disease management. This success rate significantly exceeds national averages and validates the community health center model for addressing complex health conditions.

Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership

“Community Health Centers are uniquely positioned to close gaps in hypertension care because they are effective, trusted providers,” Kyu Rhee, M.D., MPP, president and CEO of NACHC, said in the news release. “Working with Aetna Medicaid, we will scale proven strategies that meet people where they are, strengthen primary care teams, and address the factors that contribute to uncontrolled blood pressure.”

Understanding Hypertension Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing high blood pressure include eating a high-salt diet, drinking excessive alcohol, being overweight or obese and genetics. However, addressing these risk factors requires more than simply providing medical advice—it demands comprehensive support systems that acknowledge the complex social and economic realities patients face.

Barriers to Effective Treatment

To address symptoms, physicians may prescribe a medication and recommend lifestyle changes such as exercise. However, this advice can be challenging if patients face barriers to cost and transportation. For example, a patient with high blood pressure may not have a car to go to appointments, lack sufficient income for prescriptions or live in an area where there is an absence of healthy food options.

This is especially true for Medicaid members, a majority of whom live at or below the federal poverty line, according to Kara Odom Walker, M.D., M.P.H., CMO for Aetna Medicaid. These socioeconomic challenges create formidable obstacles to maintaining consistent blood pressure control and require innovative solutions that extend beyond traditional clinical interventions.

A Data-Driven Approach to Community Health

“By collaborating with NACHC and community health centers, we can combine data, on-the-ground expertise, and evidence-based tools to better support blood pressure control and help members live longer, healthier lives,” Walker said in the news release.

This partnership exemplifies how coordinated efforts between payers and providers can create meaningful improvements in population health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable communities facing multiple barriers to care.