Impact of free hypertension pharmacy program and social distancing policy on stroke: A longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The estimated lifetime risk of stroke was the highest in East Asia worldwide, especially in China. Antihypertensive therapy can significantly reduce stroke mortality. However, blood pressure control is poor. Medication adherence is a barrier as patients' out-of-pocket costs have risen. We aimed to take advantage of a free hypertension pharmacy intervention and quantified the impact on stroke mortality.

Methods

A free pharmaceutical intervention program was implemented in Deqing, Zhejiang province in April 2018. Another non-pharmaceutical intervention, social distancing due to the pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was also key to affecting stroke mortality. We retrospectively collected the routine surveillance data of stroke deaths from Huzhou Munici

SUBMITTER: Zhou Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10151749 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature