A new study reveals that depression and loneliness are critical, yet often overlooked, contributors to hypertension in Black women—deepening disparities in cardiovascular health. Researchers at George Washington University reviewed 23 studies spanning 15 years, focusing on Black women in the U.S. diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Hypertension affects over half of Black women, compared to 39% of non-Hispanic white women. Yet only a quarter of those affected have their condition under control. The review found that Black women with hypertension face significantly higher risks of depression and report elevated levels of loneliness. These emotional burdens are not just side effects—they may directly raise blood pressure, especially in midlife and older women.
Lead author Lashawn Hutto emphasized that standard depression screening tools often fail to capture how Black women express distress. “Standard tools miss too many women who are silently suffering,” she said. “We must adopt culturally responsive approaches that recognize how racism, loneliness, and emotional distress are deeply intertwined with physical health.”
The study also highlighted systemic barriers: uninsured Black women are less likely to receive treatment for depression and more likely to encounter physicians who overlook psychosocial concerns. Researchers call for routine screening for depression and loneliness in chronic illness care, and for care teams to be trained in trauma-informed, culturally sensitive practices.
See: “New Study Reveals Critical Links Between Depression, Loneliness, and Hypertension in Black Women” (August 4, 2025)
