The Rural Health and Nutrition Program Team’s Hypertension Management Program (HMP) has been adapted to address the needs of our participants during the COVID-19 crisis. This program is traditionally delivered as an 8-week, face-to-face group program targeting people with high blood pressure (hypertension). The HMP supports participants by providing them with the knowledge, behavior change strategies, and blood pressure monitoring guidance that will help them manage this complicated health condition. With stay-at-home considerations, the RHN team launched a modified version of this program and is now offering it as a series of four webinars facilitated by RHN agent Emily Moody. The online version of this program includes a “visit” during the last session by a Registered Dietitian who can answer more complicated nutrition questions posed by participants. Recruitment was completed using Eventbrite and pre and post data were collected using Qualtrics. Recruitment efforts resulted in thirty-four potential participants. Of those, fifteen met eligibility criteria and were fully enrolled. Eleven have graduated from the first group and four more are in the process of completing the program. Participants provided excellent reviews, “Emily was an enthusiastic, competent instructor who made everyone feel comfortable and willing to contribute to the discussion.” Participants also appreciated “the opportunity for interaction with others who have high blood pressure offering peer support” and “the convenience of being home yet being held accountable.” This program will continue to be offered as an online program allowing the RHN team to reach as many SC community members as possible now and in the future.
Submitted by: Michelle Parisi, Rural Health and Nutrition Program Team Director
