Some health programs try paying patients to take their medicine. A new study suggests this tactic has limited success. Researchers studied this method for patients with hypertension, or high blood pressure. They found giving people money only goes so far.
The goal of the incentives is to boost medication adherence. High blood pressure must be managed daily to prevent heart attack and stroke. When patients regularly take their pills, their blood pressure drops. However, the study results showed that the cash payments alone were not a cure-all.
Researchers presented these findings at the AHA 2025 conference. The data indicates that motivation is complex. Money provides a short-term boost. Sustained adherence requires more than just money.
This suggests doctors and health systems need better strategies. They must focus on long-term factors. These factors include simplifying drug regimens and increasing patient education. Simply paying people to comply is not the ultimate solution for this serious health issue.
