High Blood Pressure Awareness Proposal

High Blood Pressure Awareness Proposal

High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure (BP) awareness:

Being crowned as the 2007 Miss Nigeria in America - MNIA, I plan to undertake a High Blood Pressure Awareness as being my platform. I have chosen this issue of creating high blood pressure awareness since I have seen the impacts of having high BP, which caused me to lose my grandmother and my aunt, and now mother is a victim to it. Being an issue very close to my heart, I feel that I should do something really worth to create awareness about high blood pressure and its risk factors. ("High Blood Pressure," n. d.) High blood pressure leads to incidence and mortality evolving from coronary heart disease, stroke, and all types of cardiovascular diseases and also other cardiac abnormalities and also causes mortality. (Stamler; Stamler; Neaton, 1993) it is particularly dangerous as it sometimes comes with no warning signs or symptoms. Anyone can develop high BP irrespective of race, age, or gender. According to estimates, one in every four American adults suffers from high BP. In case high blood pressure develops, it generally lasts for a lifetime. However, one can prevent and control high BP through taking action. ("High Blood Pressure," n. d.)

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It is dangerous as it pressurizes the heart to work very hard and is responsible for atherosclerosis i.e. hardening of the arteries. It increases the odds of risk of heart disease and stroke that are first and third major cause of fatalities among the Americans. Besides, high BP can also lead to other ailments like congestive heart failure, diseases of the kidney, and blindness. For those who do not encounter high BP at age 55, are almost certain of developing it during their lifetime. Therefore high blood pressure happens to be a condition which people have at some stage of their lives or other. ("What are high blood pressure and pre-hypertension?," n. d.) Many of those who have high blood pressure are not aware of it. This is a relatively silent disease.

Pre-disposition of African-Americans for developing High BP:

Since there are no symptoms known until it is too late, unfortunately my grandmother as well as my aunt had become victims of this silent killer. Since African-Americans have a great affinity for developing High BP, it is very important to have information on this front. Nearly 65 million American adults i.e. almost 1 in 3 are diagnosed with high blood pressure and it is very prevalent among the African-American, who might get it earlier in their lives more frequently compared to their white counterparts. It starts at an earlier age and is normally more acute. Besides, African-Americans have a higher death rate due to stroke and kidney ailments compared to whites. However, the silver lining is that with proper treatment, one can control high BP. Apart from that, changes in lifestyle is able to prevent and control high blood pressure. The measures include losing weight in case of overweight, increasing physical activity, adhering to a healthy eating plan which stresses on a dietary regime of fruits, vegetables and low-fat diary foods, preparing and consuming foods with less salt and sodium and moderate intake of alcohol. In case changes in lifestyles do not produce any result, a lot of blood pressure medications are available to assist. ("Who can develop High blood pressure?" n. d.)

It has been observed that almost every American experiences a constant rise in BP with advancing age. Nearly 25% of the Americans are diagnosed with hypertension accounting for some 500,000 fatalities annually. In case of Black Americans, the condition is even more acute with 35% of the community suffering from the disease. The disease is especially fatal in this population responsible for 20% of the deaths among Blacks in the U.S. that is twice the figures in case of whites. One of the accepted justification of this disparity among the blacks and whites is that African people are "intrinsically susceptible" to high blood pressure due to some of the distantly defined characteristic of their genetic makeup. However, considering the African Diaspora which was the forced migration of about 10 million West Africans to the Caribbean and the Americans is also one of the causes of hypertension of African-Americans. It is a fact that the rate of hypertension in the rural West Africa is lower compared to any other place in the world, save for some regions of the Amazon basin and the S. Pacific. (Cooper; Rotimi; Ward, n. d.)

However African descendants in America on the other hand have among the highest rates of hypertension in the world. This transition indicates that some aspects regarding the surroundings or the lifestyle of European and the American blacks instead of genetic factor was the main reason behind their transformed susceptibility to high blood pressure. One analysis of the data unravels that being overweight, and the related absence of exercise and poor diet justifies between 40 & 50% of the increased risk of hypertension which the African-Americans experience compared with the Nigerians. Differences in dietary salt are responsible to the greater dangers also. The African diaspora has transformed into a very potent instrument for assessing the impact of a changing society and environment on a comparatively steady gene pool. Besides, a question arises whether rising blood pressure is almost unavoidable hazard of modern living for people of all skin colors. The human cardiovascular system that evolved in the geographic environment of rural Africa wherein obesity was rare, salt intake was restrained, the diet was a low-fat and high level of physical activity was necessary. (Cooper; Rotimi; Ward, n. d.)

It is alarming to note the fact that a modest change from these baseline conditions results in remarkable changes in the threat for hypertension. For example, blood pressure are considerably more in Nigerian cities compared to adjacent rural areas, regardless of small differences in the group's average levels of obesity and sodium intake. Plus other variables, like psychological stress and absence of physical activity might also be responsible for this increase. Psychological and social stresses are very intricate to calibrate, particularly across cultures. Nevertheless, it is a fact that blacks in N. America and Europe encounter a unique kind of stress i.e. racial discrimination. The long-standing impact of racism on blood pressure in not known. However it is important to remember that blacks in some regions of the Caribbean, inclusive of Trinidad, Cuba and the rural Puerto Rico have average blood pressures which are almost the same as that of other racial groups. It is believed that in order to appreciate hypertension in African-Americans better, the scientific community must reevaluate the intrinsic significance of ethnic and racial divisions of our species. A lot of disciplines maintain the absence of biological basis to the concept of race; on the other hand they see it as a reflection of societal distinctions instead of readily defined scientific ones. (Cooper; Rotimi; Ward, n. d.)

The challenges of this issue can only be met by creating awareness in the Nigerian communities and also empower them to be made responsible for their health. Since high blood pressure is quite silent and could be treated effectively, the most important is that of early detection and awareness. Given the fact hat high blood pressure prevails in my family, I have a deep sense of personal commitment, involvement, and conviction to create widespread awareness regarding high blood pressure.

2. Steps you would take to promote this platform to Nigerians/Nigerians in Diaspora:

Prevention of High BP is a leading public health challenge. The various steps to be taken to promote the high BP control program will include the following broad activities. A massive fundraising campaign is to be initiated. Since I live in New York City, there could be a statewide awareness program conducted to create awareness about this disease. viz. (i) High BP pressure screening, referral, and follow-up: BP screening can be organized at specially organized event or at other gathering for dual purposes of detecting persons suffering from high BP and also to monitor the pressures of those who are already aware of their High BP are under treatment to control their blood pressure. Blood pressure screening programs particularly focused on high-risk groups, especially Nigerians/Nigerians in Diaspora could be conducted. It is important to work with employers in my own state to assure blood pressure screening and follow-up services for state employees. As regards referral, people with higher readings could be referred to a doctor or clinic for more evaluation and diagnosis. Follow-up and tracking involves that after screening program leaders get in touch with individuals with high readings or the doctors or clinics to which they are referred to guarantee that more evaluation takes place. ("Activities for priority groups and settings," n. d.) it is also important to assure blood pressure screening and follow-up services for state employees. (Controlling High Blood Pressure) ii) Administering medicine: People at religious gathering can conduct educational sessions regarding prescribed medicines and their opportune application. The utility of these sessions can be important as it will provide a platform for interacting with the physician regarding prescribed medicines; guidance for remembering to adhere to appropriate drug regimen and suggestions for tackling difficulties related to taking medicines for instance missed dosages, side effects, and drug interactions. ("Activities for priority groups and settings," n. d.) iii) Support Programs: Religious gathering and other memberships groups are preferably located to present education and support programs. In certain cases, High BP control exercises can also be included into available groups. For instance, a meal function can consist of food prepared from recipes in the DASH Eating Plan, a team of elderly people could watch through a film regarding high blood pressure during a particular meeting and make program for a health walk during another occasion; and one more auxiliary could organize a support group. The DASH Eating plan could be effective as it emphasizes on lowering salt and sodium and can contribute towards maximum lowering in BP and might assist in prevention of high BP. ("Activities for priority groups and settings," n. d.) iv) Healthy cooking demonstrations and food-tasting events: The known risk factors of modern lifestyle follow towards the mass prevalence of blood pressure increase during adulthood as well as of high blood pressure. These factors of risk are calorie imbalance, high salt intake as well resulting in obesity, high dietary sodium/potassium ratio, and taking high alcohol. Cooking exhibitions and programs involving food-tasting could be applied. (Stamler, 1991) Cooking exhibitions and programs involving food-tasting could be observed to be used effectively in the Community Heart Health Programs. Chefs from local restaurants can present cooking demonstrations regarding the process of cooking low-fat, low-sodium, and low cholesterol foods which are good to taste. Presence of a nutritionist to answer questions from the audience would help it make a lively and interactive one. In an event - Chili Challenge, local participants can help cook their favorite low-fat, low-sodium chili recipe and take part in competition for prizes for the best tasting chili which is healthy for the heart also. ("Activities for priority groups and settings," n. d.) v) Develop community programs: Lack of access to the health care providers and medical care would lead to uncontrolled level of high blood pressure. So efforts need to be made to make the health care system accessible for all. Programs should be targeted for Nigerian Diaspora who would be more likely to develop high blood pressure and those having limited accessibility to health care. Incentives could be provided for monthly screenings provided by Nigerian Organizations and discount could be provided for the high-risk group of Nigerian Diaspora within hospitals. Further successful community programs should be made convenient for Nigerian Diaspora and conducted in a culturally sensitive method.

A vi) Other Health Options: There could be provision of appealing, safe and easy opportunities for exercise by improving access to parks, walking trails and bike paths that research has revealed to be a useful means for enhancing physical activity in the general population. It is important to urge people to use stairs as an alternative to riding the elevators. ("Controlling High Blood Pressure," n. d.) vii) Promoting School Health Program: School health programs that maintain or enhance physical education classes and offer healthful foods in cafeterias and vending machines should be promoted. Fruitful campaigns can be undertaken in which children can write letters requesting an important adult in their life to give up smoking or help in controlling high BP. For instance a project in Tennessee made use of the contest format to evoke maximum participation by the children and cooperation from the important adults. Winners in each age bracket were chosen by a panel of members and employees of health department. The most important part of the contest is that the children will mail the letter or deliver them in person to their important adult. The contest winners will each get a cash award and a certificate during a special awards ceremony. Another important school event can be conducting a 'Youth Poster Contest" with the theme as High BP is a family affair. Project staff can work closely with the teachers in these schools to provide students with the background information to help in the preparation of posters based on facts related to the theme. A lesson plan concentrating on hypertension can be taught to students in ninth and tenth grade health education and art classes. The posters can be judged on the basis of criteria suited to the occasion, originality, creativity and neatness and the winners can be found out from the highest scores. ("Activities for priority groups and settings," n. d.) vii) Assistance of the American Heart Association: Awareness can be made through the American Heart Association -- AHA dial no. 9-1-1 for any eventuality of life and death emergencies. In case of any warning signs of heart attack, one can immediately call the number and the victim can benefit from new medications and treatments which were absent in the past. For instance, cost-busting medications can end some heart attacks and strokes that have started, lowering disability and saving of lives. However to be effective these drugs are required to be administered almost immediately on the onset of symptoms of a heart attack or stroke first appear. The 9-1-1 is nearly the quickest method to get a lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical staff can start with the treatment on arrival till an hour sooner compared to if someone gets to the hospital by car. (American Heart Association, 2007)

The American Stroke Association states the warning signs of a stroke as (i) unexpected numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one portion of the body (ii) sudden confusion, difficulty in speaking or comprehending (iii) sudden difficulty in vision in one or both the eyes. (iv) sudden trouble in gait, problems in balance or coordination etc. (v) severe headache without any cause. In case someone is laid with these signs, one can call [HIDDEN] or the emergency medical service so that an ambulance equipped with a life support systems can be dispatched. (American Heart Association, 2007) Other organizations and people could be made to involve in these efforts of creating awareness about this deadly disease.

3. Advice you would give the agencies on ways to implement your platform program:

To implement my platform program various coordinating agencies have a contributory role to play. They have a role to play in reducing the number of people with high blood pressure and increasing the number of people who have high blood pressure under control. The agencies can (i) bring visibility to the problem of high BP. (ii) help in implementation of policies and incentives in order to make heath choices simpler (iii) concentrate on groups those who are at high risk for high BP and (iv) promote coverage for and use of preventive health services. (iv) Appreciate the burden that high BP puts and the consequential complications on the state in terms of lost productivity and medical costs. Besides, helping in development of assessment tools for tracking blood pressure treatment and control rates within the population in case they do not exist. (vi) Highlighting educational materials regarding high BP in the offices of the agencies in the form of display boards. (vii) Making awareness programs regarding the incidence of high BP. One should make certain that the clients are aware regarding the major risks that high BP poses and that they can take measures to control their blood pressure. In order to promote visibility for high BP statewide support awareness campaigns regarding blood pressure screening are needed. Ensuring education and support for health care providers in order to encourage the application of treatments based on science. Working with local American Heart Association so as to organize a Blood Pressure Challenge between various groups to find out which group possess the lowest average blood pressure in the state and give wide publicity to the same. (viii) Focusing on High Risk Groups: Provide blood pressure screening programs concentrated on high risk groups like African-American and elderly Americans, in health care environments, senior centers and religious organizations. ("The Itacha Free Clinic," n. d.)