A New Knowledge Exchange Website on Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Diease Community Programs
Elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, is a well-established and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure. For those who do not have hypertension by age of 55, the residual lifetime risk of developing hypertension is 90%. Hypertension is largely asymptomatic and adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition. Although awareness is an initial and vital step towards optimal control, there are many people diagnosed with hypertension who do not achieve recommended treatment targets.
Improving blood pressure control has been found to be one of the most cost-effective health interventions available. Because of the high prevalence of hypertension among the older population, small reductions in blood pressure in the population can have a major impact on reducing the incidence of cardiovascular and stroke related morbidity and mortality. Innovative population-based community programs focusing on hypertension awareness and management are needed to address this significant diagnosis and treatment gap.
The BPC KEN website (http://www.bpcommunityexchange.net/) has been recently set up to serve as an information portal for those interested in community cardiovascular disease prevention and facilitates ongoing communication and knowledge exchange.
The main feature of the Website is the database, which, in its initial form, outlines community-based cardiovascular disease prevention programs across Canada.
So far 38 program descriptions have been submitted to promote knowledge exchange on topics including experiences with implementation, evaluation and lessons learned. The program description template is also online so that new programs can be added.
Another key resource developed by BPC KEN is the toolbox. The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (http://www.chapprogram.ca/) has adapted its implementation guidelines as well as all the accompanying resources and made them available for use by other hypertension and cardiovascular disease programs. Other community programs have also agreed to share their resources as part of the toolbox initiative.
Network TUFH participants are invited to submit a variety of pamphlets, assessment tools, newsletters, journal articles, and other informational materials to share your expertise so that BPC KEN can explore expanding to become an international knowledge exchange vehicle. Please visit the website.
Improving blood pressure control has been found to be one of the most cost-effective health interventions available. Because of the high prevalence of hypertension among the older population, small reductions in blood pressure in the population can have a major impact on reducing the incidence of cardiovascular and stroke related morbidity and mortality. Innovative population-based community programs focusing on hypertension awareness and management are needed to address this significant diagnosis and treatment gap.
The BPC KEN website (http://www.bpcommunityexchange.net/) has been recently set up to serve as an information portal for those interested in community cardiovascular disease prevention and facilitates ongoing communication and knowledge exchange.
The main feature of the Website is the database, which, in its initial form, outlines community-based cardiovascular disease prevention programs across Canada.
So far 38 program descriptions have been submitted to promote knowledge exchange on topics including experiences with implementation, evaluation and lessons learned. The program description template is also online so that new programs can be added.
Another key resource developed by BPC KEN is the toolbox. The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (http://www.chapprogram.ca/) has adapted its implementation guidelines as well as all the accompanying resources and made them available for use by other hypertension and cardiovascular disease programs. Other community programs have also agreed to share their resources as part of the toolbox initiative.
Network TUFH participants are invited to submit a variety of pamphlets, assessment tools, newsletters, journal articles, and other informational materials to share your expertise so that BPC KEN can explore expanding to become an international knowledge exchange vehicle. Please visit the website.
posted by Yoka Cerfontaine @ 2:54 AM
0 comments
