China Rural Hypertension Control (CRHC) Project is a cluster randomized trial that will test the effectiveness of a village doctor-led multifaceted intensive blood pressure intervention on hypertension control in 18 months (Phase 1), cardiovascular disease risk in 36 months (Phase 2), and all-cause dementia in 48 months (Phase 3) among patients with hypertension in rural China. An extended observational follow-up, the CRHCP post-intervention observational follow-up study, will be conducted at Year 7 to evaluate long-term effects.

The overall objective of the CRHC Project is to develop an effective, adoptable, and sustainable implementation strategy to achieve more intensive blood pressure (BP) control among rural residents in China. Moreover, this effectiveness-implementation trial will test the effectiveness of a lower BP target (<130/80 mmHg) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause dementia. Specifically, we will test the effectiveness of a village doctor-led multifaceted intervention, compared with usual care, on BP control, CVD, and dementia among rural residents with hypertension in China. This cluster randomized trial is conducted in 326 villages from three provinces in mainland China. A total of 163 villages was randomly assigned to a village doctor-led multifaceted intervention and 163 villages to usual care, stratified by provinces, counties, and townships. A total of 33,995 individuals aged ≥40 years with uncontrolled hypertension were recruited into the study. The village doctor-led multifaceted intervention is designed to overcome barriers at the healthcare system, provider, patient, and community levels. Study participants are followed every 6 months for BP, CVD, and other study outcomes. The primary outcome is BP control (<130/80 mm Hg) at 18 months in phase 1, CVD events over 36 months in phase 2, and all-cause dementia at 48 months in phase 3. In addition, an extended observational follow-up will be conducted at Year 7 without further active intervention, to evaluate long-term outcomes including major cardiovascular events, dementia or cognitive outcomes, all-cause mortality, renal outcomes, and the sustainability of implementation fidelity.

Eligibility criteria for study villages:

• The village has a regular village doctor who is willing to participate in the hypertension control project
• The village does not plan to merge with other villages within 3 years
• The village is at least 2 kilometers away from other participating villages
• The village participates in the China New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme

Eligibility criteria of study participants:

• Men or women aged ≥40 years
• Mean untreated systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg or mean treated systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg for individuals without a history of clinical CVD; or mean treated/untreated systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg for individuals with a history of clinical coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease
• Have lived in a participating village for at least 6 months
• No intention to migrate within next 3 years
• Taking part in the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme
• Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• No malignant tumors and life expectancy ≥3 years
• Willing to participate and able to sign informed consent

Outcome Assessment Committee members will be blinded to outcome assignment.