Targeting Hypertension: Working with Rural Barbershops to Identify Hypertension and Encourage Treatment

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in the U.S., disproportionately affecting African Americans in Mississippi.
• Innovative community-based models are needed to address CVD prevalence in underserved rural populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence among African Americans in rural Mississippi.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of using barbershops as a venue to reach and screen this population for CVD risk factors.

Main Methods:

• Data collection involved screening barbershop clientele for elevated blood pressure.
• Participants providing consent were referred for clinical care if necessary.
• Screening focused on the African American population in rural Mississippi.

Main Results:

• Over one-third of participants (34.2%) exhibited elevated blood pressure during screening.
• The study successfully reached and screened a significant number of the target population through barbershops.
• Hypertension rates in males were found to be lower than in females, contrasting national trends.

Conclusions:

• Barbershops serve as an effective channel for engaging rural African Americans in cardiovascular health screenings.
• CVD prevalence in rural Mississippi is notably high, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.
• Community-based screening initiatives in accessible locations like barbershops can improve health outcomes.