Relationship between Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels with Primary Care Visit Frequency, Preventative Care Frequency, and Medical History on the Punjabi Patient Population in Sacramento County

Punjabi Sikh populations often face increased risk for developing chronic conditions, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes, as a result of cultural stigmas and barriers to accessing preventative care, leading to worse health outcomes overall. This retroactive observational study focuses on the relationships between blood pressure and blood glucose levels in relation to primary care provider (PCP) visit frequency, preventative care frequency, and past medical history among Punjabi Sikh populations within religious temples in Sacramento County, while receiving care from the Bhagat Puran Singh Ji Health Initiative. Results from this study revealed a substantial frequency of those diagnosed with chronic health conditions, with a majority of patients not visiting their PCP or receiving regular preventative care examinations. These results can be analyzed with the consideration of socioeconomic and cultural factors unique to our patient population. The results of this study emphasize the importance of providing culturally competent care to vulnerable communities in order to mitigate negative health outcomes as a whole.