325938
Addressing Hypertension and Diabetes through Community Health Workers in an Underserved Urban Community
The top 3 diagnoses in this predominantly African Americans population are Hypertension, Diabetes and Asthma. In the 4 years that JHCHC has been operational, we have followed over 1,300 patients. Blood pressure trends in systolic and diastolic level were examined for 120 patients from August 2012 to May 2013. The improvements were highly significant, with decreases at 10 months in mean systolic pressure from 139 mmHg to 132 mmHg (a 7 mm Hg decrease), and in mean diastolic pressure from 84 mm Hg to 80 mm Hg (a 4mm Hg decrease). Similarly, blood sugar trends for 39 patients showed blood sugar level was significantly decreased after 10 months, from 175mg/dl to 115mg/dl, a drop of over 35%.
We believe such control is in direct correlation with a community based primary care model that is supported by CHW effort in education of the patients and supervision of directives at home.
As part of a four-abstract series, our CHWs will be presenting on innovative outreach methods that guide the activities of JHCHC.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate the effect of a homegrown CHW presence on chronic disease management in underprivileged communities.
Demonstrate that CHWs can eliminate cultural barriers, maximize adherence to clinical directives, and promote health.
Discuss the correlation between CHW-supported primary care model and decreasing blood pressure and blood sugar level in a community predominantly affected by hypertension and diabetes.
Demonstrate the significance and benefits of recruiting CHWs who live in target community.
Keyword(s): Community Health Workers and Promoters, Chronic Disease Management and Care
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a pioneer CHW in my community, I was at the forefront of all initial outreach and health promotion conducted since 2012. As the supervisor, I monitor all CHW encounter logs and devise plans to tackle dire community needs which are identified at CHW meetings and by community advisory board members.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.