Main navigationMain content
University of Minnesota
http://twin-cities.umn.edu/
612-625-5000
Go to the U of M home page
  • One Stop
  • MyU

School of Public Health

MENUMENU
  • About
        • About
          • School at a Glance
          • History
          • Mission & Values
          • Accreditation
          • SPH Behind the Scenes
        • Leadership
          • Dean Melinda Pettigrew
          • Leadership Team
        • Diversity & Inclusion
          • About
          • Agents for Change
          • Training & Development
          • Events
          • Resources
          • Strategic Plan for Antiracism
          • Podcast
          • Report an Incident
        • Offices and Services
          • Communications
          • Development & Alumni Relations
          • Diversity & Inclusion
          • E-Learning Services
          • Faculty Affairs
          • Finance
          • Human Resources
          • Student Services
        • Faculty Directory
        • Contact Us
  • Academics
        • Graduate Programs
          • Master of Public Health (MPH)
          • Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
          • Master of Science (MS)
          • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
          • Executive & Distance Degrees
          • Dual Degrees
          • Minors
          • 4+1 Environmental Health MPH
          • Certificates
        • Undergraduate Programs
          • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
          • Public Health Minor
        • Academic Divisions
          • Biostatistics & Health Data Science
          • Environmental Health Sciences
          • Epidemiology & Community Health
          • Health Policy & Management
        • E-Learning and Academic Technology
          • Online Course Development
          • Guides and Trainings
          • In-Person Courses
          • Instructor Support
          • Quick Help
        • Syllabi
        • Continuing Education and Outreach
        • Non-degree Seeking Students
        • 2025 Public Health Institute
  • Prospective Students
        • Application Process
          • Apply
          • Application Deadlines
          • Application Review Process
          • Undergraduate BA
          • International Applicants
          • Equal Opportunity, Access & Privacy
          • Certificate Applicants
          • Declaring a Minor
        • Tuition & Finances
          • Cost of Living in Minnesota
          • Scholarships & Funding
          • Financial Aid, Loans & Grants
          • Employment Opportunities
        • Careers
          • Students
          • Employers
          • Alumni
          • Events
          • About
        • Recently Admitted Students
          • Admitted Student Day
          • Confirm Your Enrollment
        • What is Public Health?
        • Living in Minnesota
        • Events
        • Students of SPH
  • Current Students
        • Student Resources
          • Syllabi
          • Guidebooks
          • School and University Resources
          • Student Policies
          • SPHere Lounge
        • Careers Services
          • Career Outcomes
          • Students
          • Employers
          • Alumni
          • Events
          • Job Postings
          • About Us
        • Student Engagement Opportunities
          • Student Senate
          • Student Ambassadors
          • MHA Community Stewardship Initiative
        • Applied Practice
        • Mentor Program
        • Minors
        • Students of SPH
        • Orientation
        • Incoming Student Requirements
        • Commencement
  • Alumni
    • Connect
    • Get Involved
    • Career Resources
    • Awards & Honors
    • SPH Alumni Society
  • Research
    • Faculty Experts
    • Research Centers
    • Research Projects and Studies
    • Interdisciplinary Collaborations
    • Student Research
  • News
    • News Home
    • Health In All Matters Podcast
    • Advances Magazine
  • Events
  • Give
  1. Home
  2. New Project Aims to Bridge Critical Gaps in Hypertension Treatment for Rural Communities

News

Older woman sitting at home using a cell phone and blood pressure device attached to her wrist to monitor her blood pressure

New Project Aims to Bridge Critical Gaps in Hypertension Treatment for Rural Communities

School of Public Health researchers work to adapt a proven mobile health technology-based hypertension care model for rural settings

Virgil McDill | December 9, 2024

Hypertension affects 86 million U.S. adults, and nearly half of them (46%) have uncontrolled blood pressure despite medication or lifestyle changes. Uncontrolled blood pressure significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and chronic kidney disease. For rural residents, managing hypertension presents unique challenges, including longer travel distances, limited access to healthcare providers, and restricted broadband and telehealth options. To address these challenges, the University of Minnesota (UMN) Clinical and Translational Scientific Institute (CTSI) Office of Discovery and Translation (ODAT) has awarded funding to researchers from the UMN School of Public Health (SPH) for a  project focused on improving hypertension for rural communities.

Kamakshi Lakshminarayan portrait
Kamakshi Lakshminarayan

In this project, researchers will partner with leading healthcare providers serving Greater Minnesota to adapt a successful technology-based hypertension care model, originally tested in urban clinics in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, to rural settings. This care model was developed by UMN researchers from SPH, the College of Pharmacy, and the Medical School under the leadership of SPH’s Kamakshi Lakshminarayan. The model integrates daily self-monitoring of blood pressures by patients using their own smartphones and wireless monitors, real-time transmission of blood pressure data to  care teams via a free app, and rapid medication adjustment by a provider team, including  clinical pharmacists working  closely with primary care providers under a collaborative practice agreement.

The project aims to explore pathways for adopting the mobile health technology-based care model in rural Minnesota by identifying clinical leaders, assessing the readiness of rural clinicians, and addressing potential barriers such as limited broadband access. Additionally, the project will produce a white paper to guide the adaptation of technology-based care models to rural settings, with strategies to overcome infrastructure limitations.

“Our mobile health technology-based care model has proven to be a powerful tool in managing hypertension, but to this point, its benefits have not been extended to rural residents,” says Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, SPH professor and principal investigator. “For farmers who may be unable to leave the farm for clinic visits during planting and harvesting seasons, or others who live great distances from the nearest clinic, mobile health technology-based care can be effective and accessible. We’re looking forward to partnering with Centracare and Sanford to develop models of technology-based care for rural communities and improving health outcomes across rural America.”

The $68,000 grant from the UMN Clinical and Translational Scientific Institute (CTSI) Office of Discovery and Translation (ODAT) will support the study, which is expected to conclude in December 2025.

  • Epidemiology and Community Health
  • News
  • Research

Categories

  • Research
  • Students
  • Awards
  • Faculty
  • Alumni
  • All news

News from Our Divisions

  • Biostatistics & Health Data Science
  • Environmental Health Sciences
  • Epidemiology & Community Health
  • Health Policy & Management

Media Contact:

Virgil McDill, Media Strategist
mcdi0003@umn.edu

  • About
  • Academics
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Research
  • News
  • Events
  • Give

University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Contact
420 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

612-626-3500
sph-ask@umn.edu

Submit your news, research, event or communications request
SPH Communications partners with faculty, staff, and students to raise the school's profile and highlight its value to our audiences.

SPH Intranet for Faculty and Staff | Health Sciences

For Students, Faculty, and Staff

  • One Stop
  • My U
© 2025 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Privacy Statement