WAYNE COUNTY, MI – The Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO) announced today the Blood Pressure Matters campaign, designed to address hypertension, will expand into a targeted group of Wayne County communities. More than 45% of Americans have been diagnosed with hypertension; however, only 1 in 4 have their condition under control. Research suggests that average blood pressure increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and treatment adherence worsened.

"Hypertension is a silent killer; in fact, it's the leading driver of shorter life expectancy in the many communities of color," said Rev. Horace Sheffield, Executive Director of the Detroit Association of Black Organizations. "Our Blood Pressure Matters campaign offers free hypertension screenings and strategies to help individuals get their blood pressure under control. Far too many people are walking around with uncontrolled hypertension, and we are committed to changing that in Wayne County."

Through the Blood Pressure Matters campaign, DABO will introduce its community-based model designed to improve access to services to detect and manage hypertension while building multisector partnerships to address the social determinants of health.

The Blood Pressure Matters campaign will partner with members of the non-profit sector and faith-based community and will focus its outreach on the following communities:

Hamtramck

Highland Park

River Rouge

Wayne

Westland

Harper Woods

Inkster

Ecorse

Romulus

Trenton

Taylor

Dearborn

Dearborn Heights

Southwest Detroit

This project will serve Wayne County residents of all genders between the ages of 18 and 65, including targeted outreach to groups identified in the Million Hearts® 2027 Priorities list - including people from racial/ethnic minority groups (Black, Latino, Arab, and Bengali individuals), people with behavioral health issues who use tobacco, people with lower incomes, and people who live in rural areas or other 'access deserts.'

Community members with high blood pressure values (>130/80) or with uncontrolled hypertension who are out of care will be linked with a medical provider to conduct a clinical screening and manage hypertension.

To partner with DABO on an event or to learn more about the campaign, visit: https://www.yourbloodpressurematters.org