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Is Hypertension Screening Effective in a Low-Resource Setting? A Multidimensional Regression Discontinuity Design

Author

Listed:
  • Fabrice Kämpfen
  • Owen O’Donnell
  • Carlos Riumalló Herl
  • Xavier Gómez-Olivé

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases impede development, yet evidence on screening in low-resource settings is scarce. We evaluate hypertension screening in rural South Africa using a multidimensional regression discontinuity: a survey measures blood pressure (BP) and refers individuals exceeding either of two thresholds. Overall, referral modestly raises treatment uptake but shows no average BP effect after 4 years. We use BP variation with time of day and temperature to identify screens that are less likely to produce false positives. For these, referrals lower systolic BP by 5 mm Hg and uncontrolled BP by 22 percentage points. Limiting false positives may increase referral impact and program cost-effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabrice Kämpfen & Owen O’Donnell & Carlos Riumalló Herl & Xavier Gómez-Olivé, 2026. "Is Hypertension Screening Effective in a Low-Resource Setting? A Multidimensional Regression Discontinuity Design," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 74(4), pages 1437-1468.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/739149
    DOI: 10.1086/739149
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