Community First Hawaii announced the return of its Know Your Numbers campaign, emphasizing the importance of knowing blood pressure as intuitively as height or weight.
Know Your Numbers, or KYN, is a blood pressure awareness campaign that was originally launched by Community First Hawaii, a nonprofit working to improve access to healthcare, in February 2020.
While the beginning of KYN saw success in sharing the risks associated with high blood pressure, the campaign was put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic spread to Hawaii Island a few weeks later.
The first initiative had significant engagement through collaborations with retired nurses, recruits from the Hawaii Fire Department, students from the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College’s nursing and allied health programs.
“Our campaign in 2020 included over 1,000 individual screenings through the community events we participated in,” said Randy Kurohara, executive director of Community First Hawaii. “We had similar success and reach through our pilot worksite outreach and employer challenge and were able to help people connect with a primary care provider if they didn’t already have one.”
According to Community First Hawaii, about 40% of the 1,000 screened in 2020 were identified as having blood pressure readings that aligned with hypertension, or had above normal levels based on the American Heart Association’s guidelines.
Originally an East Hawaii campaign, KYN is now back with a wider approach and will be working with partners to educate individuals across the island about the dangers of high blood pressure and encourage them to form or improve relationships with primary care providers.
High blood pressure has been referred to as the “silent killer” since most people do not experience any symptoms or signs, and many are unaware they have it. High blood pressure often leads to the number one cause of death in the U.S. — heart disease and stroke.
“I think what surprises people is not just learning more about it and its consequences, but how easily manageable it is,” Kurohara said. “Many people express how they think they may have it, yet don’t take the time to get screened or have an annual check up with their primary care provider.”
Community First Hawaii will offer on-site blood pressure screenings and distribute educational materials at public and workplace events across the island. Each screening session is designed to be brief and informative, providing participants with immediate results and educational resources.
The first blood pressure screening opportunity of the year was available during the Hawaii Island Charity Walk in Waikoloa earlier this month.
The second screening will be open to the public during the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Walk with a Doc from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, May 19, at Lili‘uokalani Park and Gardens in Hilo.
Screenings are also set to be available at: The Malama Market in Oceanview on Thursday, June 6; Maku‘u Market in Puna on Sunday, June 9; the Kamehameha Day Celebration and Ho‘olaulea in Kapaau on Thursday, June 11; Relay for Life in Hilo on Saturday, July 20; and Big Island Substance Abuse Council’s Summer Jam in Hilo on Saturday, July 27.
Two additional screenings are slated after the campaign. The first will be at Tutu’s House in Waimea on Saturday, Aug. 3, and during Hui Malama Ola Na ‘Oiwi’s Ladies Night Out on Friday, Sept. 27.
“These outreach events are simply to provide information and screenings to people across the island and encourage annual health check ups at primary care providers for better health awareness and well-being,” Kurohara said. “Taking care of your personal health is so important for everyone.”
To view events hosting Know Your Numbers screenings, visit communityfirsthawaii.org/kyn-events
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com