More than one in four New Yorkers, an estimated 1.8 million adults, report having high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a key contributor to heart disease and stroke, two conditions that are responsible for more than one in five premature deaths among adults in NYC. While prevalence rates are high among all populations, some New Yorkers, such as Black and Latino adults and those living in high-poverty neighborhoods, have even higher rates.
Beginning in 2017, New York City’s first comprehensive, population-wide initiative focusing on preventing and controlling high blood pressure was launched. Take the Pressure Off, NYC! (TPO, NYC!) is focused on reducing by 150,000 the number of New Yorkers with raised blood pressure by 2022 and reducing health inequities.
TPO, NYC! is led by a coalition of faith- and community-based organizations, employers, health care systems, pharmacies, organized labor, health insurance payers, government agencies and other stakeholders. Participating organizations include 1199SEIU, the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Fund, and the 1199SEIU League Labor Management Project (LMP). Since 2017, the LMP has been meeting regularly with coalition members and providing input on the development of the TPO, NYC! Inaugural Plan. The plan outlines recommendations for action in three key areas: high blood pressure awareness, treatment adherence and creation of environments that support heart-healthy behaviors. The LMP has been engaged in raising awareness through social media and events.
Visit nyc.gov/health/TPONYC to learn more about this important initiative.