February 7, 2023
KSRE Launches Hypertension Awareness and Prevention Pilot
According to Kansas Health Matters, 32.8% of adult Kansans have been diagnosed with hypertension. The nation’s Healthy People 2030 plan sets an objective that less than 27.7% of adults in the US having hypertension. Clearly, Kansas has much work to do. For these reasons, K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) is undertaking the Hypertension Awareness and Prevention Program (HAPp) pilot to improve the health and well-being of all Kansans through hypertension awareness, self-monitoring, and prevention.
The KSRE HAPp pilot expands the work of partners, such as the Kansas Business Group on Health (KBGH), KDHE’s Bureau of Health Promotion, and the US HHS Office on Women’s Health Self-Measured Blood Pressure Partnership. The pilot includes test implementations of the CDC’s Healthy Heart Ambassador (HHA) program, the American Heart Association’s Check. Change. Control (CCC) initiative infused with KSRE programs.
Local Extension professionals participating in the HAPp pilot are: Laurie Carr, Reno County; Cindy Walker, Phillips-Rooks District; Bernadette Trieb, Wabaunsee County; Jennifer Zuercher, Harvey County; Monica Walker, Grant County; Lori Wuellner, Wyandotte County; Jennifer LaSalle, West Plains District; Kaitlyn Moore, River Valley District; Jamie Rathbun, Post Rock District; Becky Reid, Cowley County.
Sara Sawyer, Sedgwick County; and Stephanie Gutierrez, Extension Program Coordinator, AHS/HHS; are co-coordinators of the HAPp pilot. Supporting the agents in the initiative are Marty Reed, nurse consultant; Dr. Emily Mailey, Department of Kinesiology; Dr. Priscilla Brenes, Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health; Sharolyn Jackson, NE Region Extension Specialist; and Dr. Elaine Johannes, Department of Applied Human Sciences and HAPp lead.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@ksu.edu; or Sara Sawyer, sarasawer@ksu.edu.