One in three people in Philadelphia, particularly in areas like West and Southwest Philadelphia, suffer from high blood pressure. Despite having no obvious symptoms, high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues.
To tackle this pressing health concern, the Greater Philadelphia American Heart Association and Penn Medicine are hosting the Edward S. Cooper M.D. Learning Collaborative on hypertension management on Tuesday, May 13. This event aims to reverse the debilitating impact of high blood pressure on the people of Philadelphia by removing barriers to accurate blood pressure measurement and facilitating earlier diagnosis and treatment in partnership with healthcare providers.
The morning will feature a comprehensive program with esteemed speakers, including Alison P. Smith, MPH, BA, BSN, RN (she/her), Initiative Director for Target: BP at the American Heart Association and American Medical Association, who will share valuable insights on effective strategies for managing hypertension in the primary care setting. The day will begin with a networking breakfast from 8-9 a.m., followed by the main program from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and will conclude with a provided lunch from 12-1 p.m.
This event is part of the “Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure” initiative, a collaborative effort between Penn Medicine and the Greater Philadelphia American Heart Association (AHA). This three-year initiative aims to address high blood pressure disparities in communities of color in West and Southwest Philadelphia by implementing evidence-based protocols. These include community-based blood pressure screening and referral initiatives, clinic-based self-measured blood pressure programs, and annual training for healthcare organizations to improve blood pressure measurement accuracy.
Dr. Cooper, for whom the learning collaborative is named, is a world-renowned physician and a pioneer in hypertension and stroke, and the first African American to serve as national president of the American Heart Association.
This is a unique opportunity for professionals in the field to learn, network, and discuss ways to collaboratively remove structural barriers that prevent individuals in our communities from living their healthiest lives.
Register here: http://spr.ly/6189FXBp9 or contact Shaneaka Rhoads at shaneaka.rhoads@heart.org for more information.