Racial differences in hypertension care

Miami -- African-Americans are less likely than whites to receive hospital care for high blood pressure emergencies in Florida, a study found.

The study, published in the journal Ethnicity & Disease, found that of all patients -- emergency and non-emergency -- hospitalized at Florida hospitals for high blood pressure problems, 57 percent were whites, 29 percent were African-Americans and 14 percent were Hispanics.

Study author WayWay Hlaing of Florida International University said the study of 7,102 patients revealed significant differences in length of stay, discharge status and insurance type among the three racial/ethnic groups.

"Insurance status or lack thereof among minority patients may likely be the reason for lowered utilization and access to preventive care," Hlaing said in a statement.

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