May 19, 2021 – The American Heart Association and Abbott (Abbott Park, IL) announced a new multi-year initiative to reduce high blood pressure and chronic diseases affecting historically underserved local communities in Austin, Texas.
The initiative is made possible through a generous financial contribution from Abbott, and will support three Federally Qualified Healthcare Clinical Systems (FQHCs) in Central Texas in providing educational resources, support and self-monitoring devices necessary for high-risk hypertensive and diabetic patients to manage their blood pressure, glucose levels and health behaviors.
Regular blood pressure checks at a doctor’s office are difficult for many. Allowing patients to monitor their health at home could ultimately save their lives. However, they may not have the resources to purchase at-home blood pressure monitors and other critical supplies, Abbott says.
The multi-year initiative will focus on AHA’s work with several of Austin’s community health centers combating chronic disease through improved clinical systems, education, guidance and resources including self-monitoring devices.
The program has a specific goal of reaching at least 46,000 patients living in Central Texas before 2022, including at least 30,000 who are uninsured or ineligible for Medicaid and considered to be high-risk patients in Austin’s healthcare system.