Michael Hale stood in front of a group of students at the Portland Opportunities Industrial Center’s campus in the Lents area on a cloudy Tuesday in December.
Has anyone seen this device previously in this room? Pointing to tiny, portable blood pressure monitors on the classroom tables, he posed the question.
Hale, a health navigator at the 57-year-old work-training center, allowed the students to test out the devices after outlining the negative health effects of hypertension, such as an elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Do you see what he did? Hale pointed to a student who had securely fastened the cuff for his portable device around his arm and observed, “His jacket is off at the sleeve.”
According to national health data, almost one in three Americans suffers from high blood pressure. People of color, who comprise the vast majority of the students served by Portland Opportunities Industrial Center (POIC) throughout its five campuses, are even more likely to have the condition.
According to data from the American Heart Association, hypertension affects 45.3% of Black Americans and 31.4% of white Americans. Although Hispanic Americans are around 8% less likely to be aware of their ailment and receive treatment for it, they experience it at a rate that is comparable to that of white Americans.
For this reason, POIC promotes health classes even though it is primarily a job-training institution.
Regarding the blood pressure monitoring classes, Hale mentioned that some of his students had commented, “Oh, this would be great for my mom.” that they may return home and say, “Hey, I thought of you today and I learned something really important about health.”
The program has enabled Michael Hale (left) to instruct students, such as Za’niya Andrew Thompson (right) and Kennedy Belhumeur (center), using blood pressure monitors given by the American Heart Association.Todd Tatum
The classes are a part of a new program that was developed in August in partnership with the American Heart Association’s Oregon and Southwest Washington office and POIC, which offers middle- and high-school education and career training.
Students, their families, and POIC employees can borrow blood pressure monitors from the Heart Association through this initiative.
Meredith Collett, executive director of the American Heart Association’s Oregon and Washington office, told The Oregonian/OregonLive, “We had a big conversation with POIC about high blood pressure because it disproportionately affects minorities and marginalized communities.” Our goal is to improve access to these technologies for those underprivileged people.
Collet went on to say that a lack of access to health care and nutritious food options is one of the main causes of the disproportionately high rates of hypertension in disadvantaged communities.
Hale noted that knowledge made a significant difference. It should come as no surprise that those who are aware of their hypertension and what it entails are more inclined to exercise and eat well.
According to Hale, people don’t always realize what they don’t know. With that knowledge, people may prioritize and enhance their health.
Thirty blood pressure monitors were provided to the Portland Opportunities Industrial Center by the American Heart Association.POIC’s courtesy
The program’s lendable blood pressure monitors proved useful right away for Eva Vega, the dean of students at one of POIC’s alternative high-school campuses.
She claimed that as soon as she received a high blood pressure diagnosis last year, she started thinking about the worst-case possibilities, which included heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions.
However, her physician assured her that the worst was not necessary. She had the time to control her hypertension with diligent blood pressure monitoring, nutrition, and exercise. She was given free use of one of the blood-pressure monitors in August, just after the new program began.
Regarding the ability to take the monitors home, she remarked, “I wasn’t expecting that.”
She has been able to regularly collect her blood pressure readings throughout the four months she has been using the device, which has allowed her to get a reasonably accurate picture of her readings as she attempts to reduce them.
Regarding her current habits, Vega stated, “I just feel like I’m more intentional about my consumption and exercise.” I simply feel more capable and capable of managing my health.
Crime, public safety, and local news are all topics covered by breaking news reporter Tatum Todd. You can contact them at 503-221-4313 or [email protected].
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