Blood Pressure Awareness - May 2025

May is Blood Pressure Awareness Month

CTC-RI recognizes May as Blood Pressure Awareness Month and remains committed to supporting cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management through initiatives that promote blood pressure control and heart health across Rhode Island’s primary care practices.  According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), hypertension, or high blood pressure, prevalence in Rhode Island has not changed over the last decade and 1 in 3 Rhode Island adults report having been diagnosed with hypertension.  In 2022, high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of 685,875 deaths in the United States.  Only about 1 in 4 adults with high blood pressure has their blood pressure under control.

The Rhode Island Department of Health Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health Program coordinates delivery of the Healthy Heart Ambassador Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring (HHA BPSM) program in Rhode Island communities.  It is an evidence-based and available to eligible Rhode Islanders living with high blood pressure at no cost to them.   The program is currently being offered by the Rhode Island Free Clinic, Refugee Dream Center, Ocean Communities YMCA, and Rhode Island Nutrition Therapy; these sites are enrolling for Spring cohorts through May 2025.

During the 4-month program, participants measure and record their blood pressure and attend personalized consultations and nutrition seminars. To qualify, participants must be 18+ and have been diagnosed with high BP, not have experienced a recent cardiac event, not have atrial fibrillation or other arrythmias and not be at risk for lymphedema. 

The HHA BPSM program is one of many programs available through the Community Health Network (CHN); a one stop shop, for evidence-based lifestyle change health programs.  To register or HHA BPSM or other programs, go to the CHN.

You can help promote these important resources to your community. For websites, social media, newsletters:

• CHN webpage – classes, registration, referrals, and more: ripin.org/chn. 
• Promote the quick risk test and then check out Ready for Health, a diabetes prevention program, at ripin.org/chn.
• Share our 10-second ads:
  • CHN informational ad: here
  • Ready for Health informational ad: here
• Share the CHN video: Transform Your Health: Join the Community Health Network
• Look for classes open and currently enrolling ripin.org/chn calendar and promote them.

For hard copy promotional materials:

• Download and print the CHN program menu – here
• Download and print Diabetes Risk Tests – Prediabetes Risk Test and Spanish here
• Download and print Ready for Health one pagers –
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese

• Request CHN posters perfect for community rooms, patient waiting areas, available in 
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese

Email RIDOH CHN Manager at erica.hanson@health.ri.gov.

For CHW’s and other community resource support staff, view: How to Make Referrals

For community events, consider: 

• Hosting a high blood pressure Screen and Refer event at your agency or healthcare office.  Participants can review HHA BPSM program eligibility and refer to, or self-refer to, the Community Health Network. 
• Hosting a Diabetes Screen and Refer event at your agency or healthcare office.  Participants can take the diabetes risk test and refer to, or self-refer to, the Community Health Network. 

Visit ripin.org/chn, or call a call a Community Health Network Patient Navigator at 401-432-7127, for HHA BPSM and other enrollment information. 

CTC-RI thanks Erica Hanson, Community Health Network Manager at the Rhode Island Department of Health, for contributing this article and for her leadership in advancing cardiovascular health in our communities.