How can local health departments strengthen hypertension prevention and control through partnerships, community-based support, and patient self-management?
This week's Learning Spotlight highlights the work of Franklin County Public Health and its partners to improve hypertension prevention and control through education, community engagement, and collaboration.
🎥 Watch the Franklin County video spotlight:
Advancing Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention with Franklin County Public Health
📄 Read the Franklin County infographic for an overview of the initiative, key strategies, and outcomes.
What They Did
Franklin County Public Health partnered with the American Heart Association, the Franklin County Hypertension Network, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and community health workers to:
- Implement a 12-week hypertension education and self-management program.
- Provide participants with home blood pressure monitors.
- Train community health workers to support blood pressure monitoring and education in community settings.
- Expand access to hypertension self-management resources through healthcare and community partnerships.
- Build a collaborative network to support long-term sustainability.
Results & Impact
- More than 90% of participating patients achieved blood pressure control.
- Participants gained tools and skills to monitor and manage their blood pressure at home.
- Providers reported satisfaction with the multidisciplinary care model.
- Partnerships established through the initiative created opportunities for ongoing collaboration and sustainability.
Lessons for Local Health Departments
Invest in Community Health Workers
CHWs can help extend hypertension education and monitoring beyond traditional healthcare settings.
Support Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring
Providing residents with tools and training can increase engagement in blood pressure management.
Partner with Healthcare and Community Organizations
Cross-sector collaboration can help expand access to services and strengthen implementation efforts.
Plan for Sustainability Early
Building networks and partnerships can help maintain momentum and spread successful practices beyond the initial project period.
Explore Resources
Franklin County Story from the Field
NACCHO Cardiovascular Health Resource Hub
Getting Further Faster Tools and Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – SMBP Best Practices Guide
The Community Guide - Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention: Interventions Engaging Community Health Workers
Discussion
Which strategy do you think has the greatest potential to improve blood pressure control in your community?
- Community health worker training and engagement
- Home blood pressure monitoring
- Partnerships with healthcare providers and FQHCs
- A community coalition or hypertension network
Tell us which strategy you selected and why in the comments below.
We also invite you to share any lessons learned, challenges, or successes from your own cardiovascular health initiatives.
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Johanna Segovia, MPH
Program Analyst
National Association of County and City Health Officials
1201 Eye Street, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202)-463-8617
Email: jsegovia@naccho.org
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