Target: BP Initiative Recognizes 2,307 Healthcare Organizations for Hypertension Control Efforts
The American Heart Association and American Medical Association's Target: BP initiative is helping address the critical public health challenge of hypertension, which affects nearly half of U.S. adults and accounts for $50 billion in annual healthcare costs.
The American Heart Association and American Medical Association have recognized 2,307 healthcare organizations for their efforts in tackling hypertension through the Target: BP initiative, representing a significant increase from 1,812 organizations recognized in 2024. This expansion comes at a critical time when nearly half of U.S. adults—122.4 million people—live with high blood pressure, yet only a quarter have their condition under control, making both diagnosis and effective management essential public health priorities.
Launched in 2015, Target: BP leverages American Heart Association science and the evidence-based AMA MAP™ framework to help care teams organize their approach to providing evidence-based care. The initiative assists healthcare organizations in improving and sustaining blood pressure control through professional education, practice tools, and resources, including support through quality improvement programs. This year's participating organizations span 49 states or U.S. territories and serve more than 38 million patients, including nearly 10.6 million people with hypertension.
More than 40% of participating organizations are nonprofit health centers that receive federal funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration to reach medically underserved populations. Among those recognized for their efforts, nearly 60% received Gold or Gold+ award level recognition for achieving blood pressure control rates of 70% or greater. Approximately 37% of awardees achieved Silver or Silver+ recognition for adopting evidence-based activities, while the remainder received Participation-level recognition for submitting data for the first time and committing to reducing uncontrolled blood pressure cases.
Hypertension accounts for nearly $50 billion in annual healthcare costs in the U.S. and remains a leading preventable risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and premature death. Since its launch, more than 4,900 healthcare organizations have joined the Target: BP movement, with approximately 80% of participating organizations continuing their engagement year after year, reflecting a sustained commitment to improving blood pressure control and addressing heart disease, the nation's number one killer. The initiative demonstrates how healthcare organizations and care teams can work together to close gaps in blood pressure control through patient awareness and education, ultimately improving overall well-being and reducing healthcare costs.