Sarasota, Fla.-The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County and the Newtown Community Health Action Team are promoting heart healthy strategies in the community with the use of 100 free blood pressure monitoring kits. The kits will consist of a blood pressure cuff, a monthly pill box, and calendars for tracking, among other materials.
Each year, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases kill over 800,000 Americans.1 Improving health outcomes for priority populations is a key focus for the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County on the journey to enhance health equity.
In 2017, in Sarasota County, the crude hypertension death rate for the Black population was 20.5 per 100,000 people vs. the White population at 16.9 per 100,000 people.2
The above-mentioned kits will be offered to the first 100 Black/African American community members living in or near the Newtown area, with hypertension, who attend the kick-off event at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex on May 21st, from 5-7 p.m.
Kits will only be distributed to those with hypertension. At the time of distribution, the program will also be explained in further detail, along with the requirements for tracking.
If you meet the above qualifications and are looking to improve your hypertension control, we encourage you to come to the distribution event. Please do not miss the opportunity to take part in this completely free program and improve your overall health and well-being.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla.
For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.