Addressing High Blood Pressure in Philadelphia: Learning Collaborative Event at Penn Medicine
– One in three people in Philadelphia, particularly in areas like West and Southwest Philadelphia, suffer from high blood pressure. Despite having no obvious symptoms, high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues.
To tackle this pressing health concern, the Greater Philadelphia American Heart Association and Penn Medicine are hosting the Edward S. Cooper M.D. Learning Collaborative on hypertension management on Tuesday, May 13. This event aims to reverse the debilitating impact of high blood pressure on the people of Philadelphia by removing barriers to accurate blood pressure measurement and facilitating earlier diagnosis and treatment in partnership with healthcare providers.
The morning will feature a comprehensive program with esteemed speakers, including Alison P. Smith, MPH, BA, BSN, RN (she/her), Initiative Director for Target: BP at the American Heart Association and American Medical Association, who will share valuable insights on effective strategies for managing hypertension in the primary care setting. The day will begin with a networking breakfast from 8-9 a.m., followed by the main program from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and will conclude with a provided lunch from 12-1 p.m.
This event is part of the "Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure" initiative, a collaborative effort between Penn Medicine and the Greater Philadelphia American Heart Association (AHA). This three-year initiative aims to address high blood pressure disparities in communities of color in West and Southwest Philadelphia by implementing evidence-based protocols. These include community-based blood pressure screening and referral initiatives, clinic-based self-measured blood pressure programs, and annual training for healthcare organizations to improve blood pressure measurement accuracy.
Dr. Cooper, for whom the learning collaborative is named, is a world-renowned physician and a pioneer in hypertension and stroke, and the first African American to serve as national president of the American Heart Association.
This is a unique opportunity for professionals in the field to learn, network, and discuss ways to collaboratively remove structural barriers that prevent individuals in our communities from living their healthiest lives.
Register here: http://spr.ly/6189FXBp9 or contact Shaneaka Rhoads at [email protected] for more information.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, excellence in patient care, and community service. The organization consists of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) and Penn’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school.
The Perelman School of Medicine is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $580 million awarded in the 2023 fiscal year. Home to a proud history of “firsts,” Penn Medicine teams have pioneered discoveries that have shaped modern medicine, including CAR T cell therapy for cancer and the Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System cares for patients in facilities and their homes stretching from the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania to the New Jersey shore. UPHS facilities include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, Doylestown Health, Lancaster General Health, Princeton Health, and Pennsylvania Hospital—the nation’s first hospital, chartered in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Penn Medicine at Home, GSPP Rehabilitation, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others.
Penn Medicine is an $11.9 billion enterprise powered by nearly 49,000 talented faculty and staff.
For Media Inquiries:
