Hypertension Prevention

Hypertension Prevention in the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood for

Young childhood African American
David L. Pendleton
Metro Cuyahoga Community College

This paper was prepared for Human Services 1210

Taught by Professor Toni D. Johnson
April 30, 2015

Hypertension Prevention

As an African American citizen I can relate to the high epidemic of high blood pressure
within the lower income neighborhoods. In order to help prevent this disease, which is medically
known as hypertension. As a community we will investigate and implement the steps to decrease
hypertension within the African American childhood group in the Mt. Pleasant ward in
Cleveland, Ohio.

Methods of Intervention: Educational

Hypertension is defined as: Abnormally high blood pressure, especially in the arteries.
High blood pressure increases the risk for heart attack and stroke. Also called high blood
pressure (dictionary.com).
According to the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP)
The new statement recommends Prevention of Hypertension through both a
population based strategy and an intensive strategy focused on individuals at high
risk for hypertension. These two strategies are complementary and emphasize six
approaches:
Engage in moderate physical activity
Maintain normal body weight
Limit alcohol consumption
Reduce sodium intake
Maintain adequate intake of potassium; and consume a rich diet of fruits,
vegetables, and low fat dairy products and reduce saturated and total fat.
Applying these approaches can prevent blood pressure from rising in the
general population and can lower blood pressures in persons with high
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Hypertension Prevention
normal blood pressure or hypertension (Primary Prevention of
Hypertension-foreword )

Type: Information Dissemination

Community Healthy lifestyle website suggestions updated monthly

Community daycare and schools eating programs
Community Meetings with physicians
Community Church outreach speeches with physicians 2nd Saturday each month.
Advocate for healthier restaurant fast food
Advocate for healthier foods in corner stores
Flyers
Brochures
Community Healthy cooking classes 1st and 3rd Saturday
Monthly Summer Block parties with healthy eating and healthy drinking with fun
line dancing with children.

Primary: Early Intervention for Target Population

Selective: Childhood African American in ward 2 community
The NHBPEP stated A population based approach aimed at achieving a
downward shift in the distribution of blood pressure in the general
population is an important component for any comprehensive plan to
prevent hypertension. Groups at high risk for hypertension include those
with high-normal blood pressure, a family history of hypertension,
African Americans (black) ancestry, overweight or obesity, a sedentary
lifestyle, excess intake of dietary sodium and/or insufficient intake of

Hypertension Prevention
potassium, and /or excess consumption of alcohol. Contexts in which
intensive targeted interventions can be conducted to prevent hypertension
in African Americans include not only health care settings but also senior
centers and faith-based organizations that have blood pressure screening

and referral programs. (Primary Prevention of Hypertension )p.4-5

Michelle Obama implements the Lets Move program and states
Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Lets Move! Is
about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest
months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering
environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in
our schools. Ensuring that every family has success to healthy, affordable
food. And helping children become more physically

active.(letsmove.gov)
Fresh-Link is project that surveyed and researched by Case Western
reserve to analyze and create prevention program for a healthier
community in low-accessed neighborhoods. According to The Prevention

Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods Fresh-Link Aims:

1. With Evidence Activation Team, examine evidence to identify
bottlenecks and barriers to using farmers markets (FM), Produce Perks
(PP), and EFNEP in diverse, low-resource settings, and conduct five
(one/year) Plan, Do, Study, Act Pragmatic Trials to address priority

issues; and
2. Adapt and test peer health advocate (PHA) dissemination approach to
boost demand for FM, PP and EFNEP among Snap recipients living in
low income neighborhoods. (prchn.org)

Hypertension Prevention

Primary: Early Intervention

Within the Mt. Pleasant community, early hypertension prevention for young African
Americans age 3-13 would yield a higher success rate. By disseminating information to this
selective group of people within the community, it would help the next generation to live longer.
When the younger adults grasp this information they are most likely to pass this information to
their parents and grandparents. This would help break a generational curse of hereditary from the
disease of hypertension and high blood pressure.

According to the NHBPEP There is ample evidence that hypertension begins in

childhood. Children with higher average blood pressure levels early in life are
more likely to develop hypertension later in life. Efforts to prevent blood pressure
from increasing in childhood are prudent and best accomplished by application of
the same lifestyle approaches used to prevent and treat hypertension in adults.
Accordingly, school administrations are encouraged to examine their lunch
menus and promote the use of heart healthy foods. Parents are encouraged to read
food labels and make wise choices for lunches prepared at home. In addition,
school curricula should include health education programs that promote increased
physical activity and other healthy lifestyles aimed at prevention of
cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.(Primary Prevention of
Hypertension) pg.11

Program Goals & Objectives

Hypertension Prevention
The goal is to educate childhood African Americans on how to live a healthier life by
eating healthier, doing physical activities daily, avoiding bad habits and becoming a better
consumer and advocate with leadership involvement within the Mt. Pleasant Community.
Decrease the amount fast food and fried food consumption by 20% in the Mt. Pleasant
community by April 2016.
Increase the amount of physical activity in the Mt. Pleasant community by 35% by
December 2017.
Increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables by 40% using food stamps and snap by
December 2017.
Increase the education of advocating, voting and disciplines involved with helping the
Mt. Pleasant community to become successful in the needs of the community by 25% by
December 2021.
Mission Statement
We care about ourselves, our family, each other, and our community. We are inspired to make a
difference, and we are committed to the integrity and excellence of lifestyle choices we make to
prevent hypertension now and in the future. Together we will empower people in our community
to live healthier lives.

Describe the Need

There is a need for healthier living among the black population ages 3-13 in the Mt.
Pleasant community from obtaining the hypertension disease.
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Hypertension Prevention
Geographic Area:
Mt. Pleasant Community-Ward 2

Staff needed: Combined

Board Members
Councilman Zachary Reed, Community Leaders, Community Ministers,

Principals of schools, Advocate leaders of the Community

Community Prevention Project Manager
Community Prevention Assistant Manager
5 Community Leaders
5 Volunteers

Who might Fund Such a Service

Community Development Grants

Prevention Research center for healthy Neighborhoods
SAMSHA
Fund Raising

Hypertension Prevention

Method of Evaluation
There will be monthly evaluations through surveys and questionnaire for the staff and

residents.
Rate your neighborhood stores and fast food restaurants for healthy foods.
How has attending the community meetings help improve your life style?
Are the goals presented being met?
How can we improve our techniques for the community?
What are other needs that we can incorporate in this prevention?
Rate your school food and vending machine programs.
How many times a month do you eat fast food?
How many times a day do you eat fruits and vegetables?
How many times a week do physical activities?
Have you lost weight or experienced more energy from attending the prevention
program?
Has this helped you think differently concerning your health?
Was the staff educated enough for your understanding?
The answers to these questions and statements will help improve our community
prevention program in the near future. It will allow us to make all necessary changes to
the hypertension prevention program.
In conclusion by implementing this hypertension prevention program into our
Mt.Pleasant community and following our mission statement, we will live a healthier and
longer life.

Bibliography
(2015). Retrieved March 20, from http://dictionary.reference.com/
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Hypertension Prevention

Let's Move. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2015, from http://www.letsmove.gov/kids/

PRCHN. (2015, April 22). Retrieved from http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/PRCHN

Primary prevention of hypertension clinical and public health advisory from the National High
Blood Pressure Education Program. (2002). Bethesda, MD?: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human
Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
doi:04/22/2015