Monument Health is always striving to impact our communities. Health screenings at Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo Rapid City, among other local events, continue to make a difference in bringing health care to the people while making it more accessible in the places where they spend their time. However, the job, even with such great results, is never done.
High blood pressure is an indicator of future health problems. A recent Community Health Assessment conducted by Monument Health identified high blood pressure as a local concern that affects as much as 43% of the adult population, which is higher than the national average. That number is up from 37% just a few years ago. To complicate matters, accessing health care and finding resources is becoming more difficult, particularly in rural communities.
Community Heart Hub is a Monument Health project partnering with Rapid City Public Library. Influenced by similar American Heart Association programs, the project will provide a dedicated space for a blood pressure testing machine kiosk at the Rapid City Public Library, where you can check your blood pressure, learn about blood pressure categories and access valuable health resources.
The machine comes equipped with alternate, large-sized cuffs and will print out the results of a blood pressure reading for adult community members. The machines are not calibrated for those younger than eighteen years of age.
“The library has a role to provide information and educational resources to the city. We’re also a community hub with about 800 people coming in every day,” says Sean Minkel, Assistant Director, Rapid City Public Library. “Having this blood pressure monitoring station here is going to be a valuable asset resource, and we’re very excited to be partnering with Monument Health.”
More education and more access can empower community members to be self-advocates. It’s also a clinically-supported program. “If you have a reading that is high or a little unexpected, you can call the Monument Health Nurse Triage Line at 605-755-1350,” says John Talcott, Director Heart and Vascular Institute at Rapid City Hospital. “We’ll have some resources here at the library as well, that will direct you to call a Monument Health health care professional to have some of your questions answered.”
The library plans to have staff available to assist patrons and answer non-medical questions.
Story and Photo: Kory Lanphear