Blood pressure reduction as a result of the Boxville Vitals partnership

Abstract

Introduction: Boxville 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. Objectives: The primary objective was to build community engagement by increasing weekly participation and secondarily, to observe a change in blood pressure among returning patrons. Methods: Blood 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. Results: Of 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