The Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI) recently announced four mini-grants to local organizations through the
Atlanta Hypertension Initiative (AHI). The grants were awarded to programs focused on improving hypertension control, specifically among Black adults in Atlanta, and promoting health equity for all.
The grants are part of the ongoing work associated with the AHI, a collaborative effort involving ARCHI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the Atlanta area American Heart Association and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. Together, these organizations are advancing equitable hypertension control in the Atlanta region.
“These grants targeted local organizations that could quickly and effectively implement equitable hypertension control strategies to improve cardiovascular health for metro Atlanta residents,” said Aisha Williams, Deputy Director of ARCHI. “We were grateful to get applications from organizations of all kinds: faith-based entities, state and regional organizations, health systems with affiliated practices, federally qualified health centers and even national organizations with local reach and infrastructure that are focused on improving health and reducing health disparities.”
In the United States, nearly half of adults (120 million) have hypertension (≥ 130/80 mmHg). Among those, only about 1 in 4 has their blood pressure under control, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey where an examiner measures participants’ actual blood pressure. In addition, disparities persist in hypertension prevalence and control. Fifty-eight percent of non-Hispanic Black adults have been diagnosed with hypertension, but only 17% have their hypertension controlled.
Awardees include:
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Diabetes You Can Win. The program will use traditional and holistic methods to manage high blood pressure in older adults. It will teach meditation, mindfulness, and yoga techniques to adults at two active-living senior apartments and include regular blood pressure screenings and self-monitoring.
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HIght Health. The group’s three-month program is focused on virtual and in-person events that will raise awareness, improve education and promote healthy lifestyle choices. The program will include blood pressure screenings, fitness sessions, cooking workshops and a graduation event/health fair.
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Lucky Shoals Community Foundation. The organization will expand its programming into nine additional Title I schools and other community locations to increase the regular blood pressure screenings in hard-to-reach communities. A Community Health Worker will be assigned to each participant to follow up once a month and increase clients seeing a primary care physician.
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Whitefoord Health Center. The clinic will expand its outreach to Black adults and facilitate a higher level of care and support for patients managing chronic conditions including hypertension. The organization will reach out through community events to provide blood pressure screenings and monitoring kits. Participants will also be connected with a Care Coordinator.
