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Blood pressure screening at grocery stores
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., with support from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers and the Northern Marianas College, is reaching into villages to help CNMI residents prevent and control high blood pressure on Saipan.
The project aims to identify residents who may not know they have high blood pressure and connect them with the care they need.
In March, NMC nursing students began holding free weekly blood pressure screenings at five grocery stores across Saipan through June, but changes have been made to schedule for the summer. The updated schedule is below.
May 24 Twins Market, Dandan 4pm to 6pm
May 27 Joeten Superstore, Oleai 10:30am to 12:30pm
May 31 Han Nam Market, Koblerville 4pm to 6pm
June 7 Welcome Market, San Roque 4pm to 6pm
June 10 Joeten Superstore, Olea 10:30am to 12:30pm
June 14 Kagman Market, Kagman 4pm to 6pm
June 17 Joeten Superstore, Oleai 10:30am to 12:30am
June 21 Twins Market, Dandan 4pm to 6pm
June 24 Joeten Superstore, Oleai 10:30am to 12:30pm
High blood pressure in the CNMI
The 2016 CNMI Non-Communicable Disease and Risk Factor Hybrid Survey (NCD Survey) found that although the rates of hypertension are very high (56% in adults) in the CNMI, about half (28%) of those with hypertension do not know they have it.
Although hypertension is a significant health problem in the CNMI, it is a preventable and controllable condition. Regular physical activity, balanced meals low in salt and maintenance of a healthy weight decrease the risk of hypertension and can even help people control this problem after diagnosis.
Effectively managing hypertension includes lifestyle changes to healthier habits, and long-term medication use as prescribed by your doctor.
For more information or to find out how you can get involved, contact Kaitlyn Neises-Mocanu at kaitlyn.neises@dph.gov.mp or call (670) 783-8427. (PR)
