Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure Initiative Expands to North Philadelphia

Strategic Insights -

The American Heart Association has highlighted the dire need to address high blood pressure in North Philadelphia, where at least 33% of the population suffers from the condition. Known as the "silent killer," hypertension can lead to severe health consequences if left untreated. To combat this issue, the Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure initiative, launched last fall in West and Southwest Philadelphia, is expanding to North Philadelphia, in partnership with Temple Health, Penn Medicine, and the American Heart Association.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 33% of people in North Philadelphia suffer from high blood pressure, with 3 out of 4 Black adults developing the condition by age 55, compared to 47.5% of white adults.
  • The Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure initiative aims to remove barriers to accurate blood pressure measurement and improve early diagnosis and treatment through partnerships with healthcare providers.
  • The initiative has a goal of implementing evidence-based strategies, including community-based blood pressure screening and referral programs, clinic-based self-measured blood pressure, and collaborative strategic planning, by 2027.
  • The initiative is expanding to North Philadelphia, marking the second year of the collaborative effort, with Temple Health joining Penn Medicine and the American Heart Association.
  • Temple Health will co-host an annual learning collaborative with Penn Medicine and the Heart Association to share best practices and address barriers to effective blood pressure control.
  • The initiative will collaborate with clinics and community organizations to implement evidence-based strategies that reduce barriers to early hypertension diagnosis and promote education for effective risk reduction and long-term management.
  • The initiative has already seen success in its first year, with Clinical partners including Family Practice and Counseling Services Network, Greater Philadelphia Health Action, and Spectrum Health Services, and Community partners including Southwest CDC, Second Antioch Baptist Church Food Pantry, and Samuel Gompers School.

Statistics:

  • At least 33% of people in North Philadelphia suffer from high blood pressure.
  • By age 55, 3 out of 4 Black adults have developed high blood pressure, compared to 47.5% of white adults.
  • The initiative aims to have 5 health centers and 15 community sites implement evidence-based strategies by 2027.
  • The initiative has expanded to North Philadelphia, with the addition of Temple Health as a partner.

Sources:

  • American Heart Association press release
  • Interviews with Jennifer Litchman-Green, Executive Director, American Heart Association of Greater Philadelphia, Abhinav Rastogi, M.B.A., M.I.S., Executive Vice President of Temple University Health System and President & CEO of Temple University Hospital, and Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO, University of Pennsylvania Health System.