- Jul 28, 2016
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How is this for simple, inexpensive and creative health interventions?
Researchers in Los Angeles created a program where a pharmacist visiting the local barbershop worked with the patrons' doctors to care for patrons with high blood pressure. When this was done, there was an average 3x bigger decrease in high blood pressure measurements compared to when they were talked to about possible lifestyle interventions and encouraged to visit their doctors.
A previous studies had taken the intervention to the barbershop and another empowered pharmacists to take the lead on high blood pressure intervention. This study put the two pieces together. It seems to work.
The reason why black LA men were targeted for this intervention was noted as follows: "As it stands, non-Hispanic black men have the highest rate of hypertension-related death of any racial, ethnic, or sex group in the U.S., they noted, adding that black men have less physician interaction than black women and lower rates of hypertension treatment and control."
The study was just 6 months long, so the next step being studied is whether the drops in blood pressure can be sustained. Churches, beauty salons and nail salons are 'trusted community venues' which are mentioned in the article as possible places where health interventions may be staged next.: https://www.medpagetoday.com/cardiology/hypertension/71704?xid=NL_breakingnews_2018-03-12&eun=g883822d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LateShift_031218&utm_term=Late Shift
... Just one more bit of research that shows how vital community is to health, in so many ways.
Researchers in Los Angeles created a program where a pharmacist visiting the local barbershop worked with the patrons' doctors to care for patrons with high blood pressure. When this was done, there was an average 3x bigger decrease in high blood pressure measurements compared to when they were talked to about possible lifestyle interventions and encouraged to visit their doctors.
A previous studies had taken the intervention to the barbershop and another empowered pharmacists to take the lead on high blood pressure intervention. This study put the two pieces together. It seems to work.
The reason why black LA men were targeted for this intervention was noted as follows: "As it stands, non-Hispanic black men have the highest rate of hypertension-related death of any racial, ethnic, or sex group in the U.S., they noted, adding that black men have less physician interaction than black women and lower rates of hypertension treatment and control."
The study was just 6 months long, so the next step being studied is whether the drops in blood pressure can be sustained. Churches, beauty salons and nail salons are 'trusted community venues' which are mentioned in the article as possible places where health interventions may be staged next.: https://www.medpagetoday.com/cardiology/hypertension/71704?xid=NL_breakingnews_2018-03-12&eun=g883822d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LateShift_031218&utm_term=Late Shift
... Just one more bit of research that shows how vital community is to health, in so many ways.
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