ASH Hypertension Community Outreach
The recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report declaring hypertension a “neglected disease” in need of attention reminded us that while hypertension is the single most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, accounting for more than 40% of cardiovascular deaths in the United States, the death rate from hypertension‐related diseases increased 25% in the decade between 1995 and 2005. Implementation of strategies to reverse these devastating consequences of hypertension will require engagement of multiple entities, including governmental agencies, the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the medical community, and a significant change in behavior of the US population. Members of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) have both the opportunity and challenge to assume a leadership role in this process at the local, state, and national levels.
In the Society’s statement supporting the recommendations of the IOM report (http://www.ash‐us.org/news/2010/feb10.htm), several resources were identified that can be used by members who choose to become involved in their local communities. One of those was the recently initiated Hypertension Community Outreach Program. For 22 years, the primary focus of the Society was to provide a forum at its annual meeting for the dissemination of scientific information about hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. In 2008, the Society initiated a new community outreach program in conjunction with its annual meeting in New Orleans. This program represented an explicit expression of the Society’s mission to “translate and promote current research in hypertension and vascular disease into effective treatment strategies for patients with hypertension and associated disorders.” The program included 9 events that targeted both the young and the elderly of all ethnicities in neighborhoods throughout the city at risk for hypertension with screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose; dissemination of information about healthy diets, exercise, and control of obesity; visits by ASH leadership to community health clinics; participation by local businesses providing health care products; and events that expressed appreciation for local government and business leaders for their participation. A similar series of events were organized and conducted by ASH leadership in conjunction with the 2009 annual meeting in San Francisco, and more events occurred at this year’s annual meeting in New York. Several ASH Members and Society staff have now had considerable experience in organizing these community outreach events and are willing to share their experience with local chapters or members who would like to conduct such an event in their community.
Patient education materials can now be accessed by health care professionals and by the general public on the ASH Website. This includes a very attractive booklet entitled “BP and Your Health” that is available in both English and Spanish and the “Hypertension/High Blood Pressure Guide” on the WebMD Website (http://www.webmd.com/hypertension‐high‐blood‐pressure/guide/blood‐pressure‐causes).
The Society has now published several position papers on topics relevant to the management of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. Of particular relevance to primary care physicians and other health care providers is the recent publication of “Dietary Approaches to Lower Blood Pressure” in The Journal of Clinical Hypertension (JCH). This publication and other position papers can be accessed directly from the ASH Website. Members who are planning educational events for health care providers in their local communities may want to bring these publications to the attention of their audience.
The ASH Specialist Program (ASP) identifies and recognizes physicians who have demonstrated expert skill and knowledge in the management of hypertension and related disorders. A directory of designated ASH hypertension specialists can be accessed through the ASH Website. Engagement of these experts in local community outreach activities will be critical to the success of such endeavors. Members who are not yet specialists in clinical hypertension are encouraged to take the next certifying examination. To illustrate the impact of the specialist program on health care delivery, the Carolinas‐Georgia‐Florida Chapter of ASH was successful in lobbying BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina to provide a special stipend to designated hypertension specialists throughout the state in anticipation of improved outcomes by hypertensive patients receiving care from these experts.
A variety of opportunities are therefore available to ASH members throughout the country who are willing to either spearhead or participate in initiatives that will lead to better control of blood pressure and healthier living for the citizens in our communities. ASH leadership has established some templates that can be implemented at the local level, but other initiatives are possible thanks to the creativity of our members through their own initiative or through the regional chapters. Get involved and make a difference in addressing this public health challenge.