Blood pressure reduction as a result of the Boxville Vitals partnership

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionBoxville Vitals is a blood pressure and blood glucose testing site in Chicago Illinois facilitated by students and faculty of the University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy during the weekly arrival of a mobile produce grocer to Boxville Marketplace. Boxville Vitals focuses on trust‐building and accessibility of care.ObjectivesThe primary objective was to build community engagement by increasing weekly participation and secondarily, to observe a change in blood pressure among returning patrons.MethodsBlood pressure and blood glucose testing was offered from August through October 2021. Patients were “nudged” to care through a “stress‐free” approach. No diagnoses were made. Only “new” vs “returning” status was recorded. Weekly attendance was used to measure engagement. A Mann‐Whitney U test was performed using Prism to compare mean reductions in blood pressures among “new” and “returning” patrons.ResultsOf 84 results collected, 65 were blood pressures; 48 new and 17 returning results. The 8‐week program elicited robust engagement; 21% returned for follow‐up. A mean reduction of 13.95 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure (95% confidence interval, P < .02) was found between the two groups.ConclusionBoxville Vitals shows that an intrinsically motivated population can be meaningfully served by bringing care within reach. Clinically significant reductions in systolic blood pressures were found.