Project Summary:
In Wisconsin, 1 in 3 deaths are caused by heart attacks or strokes. Hypertension is a major preventable risk factor not only for heart attacks and strokes, but also for heart failure, dementia, and kidney disease. Approximately 1.3 million adults in Wisconsin have hypertension, and less than half of these individuals have their blood pressure under control. Many are unaware of their high blood pressure. Even when diagnosed, 25% of Wisconsinites do not take their anti-hypertensive medications as prescribed. Hmong, Hispanic, and rural communities in central WI are disproportionately impacted by hypertension and its complications. To improve the health of these communities and advance health equity, we propose to employ community health workers who have been working with the Hmong and Hispanic Communication Network (H2N) and Rural Resiliency Network (R2N) over the past 4.5 years to: 1) do blood pressure screening in community settings; 2) better educate Hmong, Hispanic and rural communities about high blood pressure and its risks, lifestyle changes and treatments that can reduce blood pressure and help prevent heart disease; 3) increase health literacy and assist people in establishing with primary care providers; 4) evaluate those with abnormal screening results for social determinants of health that might be barriers to treatment and make appropriate case manager referrals; 5) improve our tracking and documentation of client cases, referrals and services provided; and 6) establish a sustainable resource and referral system for individuals with chronic illnesses like hypertension. Our project will advance health equity and save lives through increasing hypertension awareness and detection, and improving hypertension treatment and control in central Wisconsin Hmong, Hispanic, and rural communities.
Community Partners: HOLA, Inc., Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service, Wausau Free Clinic, Wausau Family Pharmacy, Clark County Health Department, Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin