The southeastern United States with 26% of the US population and a large minority component has the highest prevalence of hypertension and hypertensive complications of the country. This region has the highest incidence of stroke, coronary artery disease, and end stage kidney disease. In addition, the mortality rates of hypertensive complications, such as stroke and coronary artery disease, are higher in the majority of southeastern states than elsewhere in the United States.

In May of 1992, a group of concerned Southeastern scientists, meeting in Asheville, North Carolina under the auspices of the Hypertension Center of the Bowman Gray School of Medicine organized the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control (COSEHC) with the mission to reduce hypertension morbidity and mortality in the region. From the initial six charter members, COSEHC has grown with a wide variety of members including academic physicians, clinicians, public health officials, allied health personnel and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry. The Consortium promotes scientifically based research and educational activities throughout the region. Through cooperative efforts among COSEHC members a better understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertension can be gained and will drive implementation of new strategies to reduce hypertension related morbidity and mortality.