Provider Alert! Hypertension intervention campaign, Release the Pressure

Attention: All Providers
Effective Date: July 20, 2020

Providers should monitor the Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) Provider Portal regularly for alerts and updates associated to the COVID-19 event.  TCHP reserves the right to update and/or change this information without prior notice due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 event.

Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) would like to invite you to participate in a new campaign, launched by several healthcare organizations, focused on helping black women learn more about monitoring and managing their blood pressure.
The “Release the Pressure” campaign is a collaboration between the American Medical Association, American Heart Association, Association of Black Cardiologists, Minority Health Institute, National Medical Association and ESSENCE, a massive media company aimed at reaching black women. The groups have worked closely to deliver a message that reaches as many eyes and ears as possible.

African Americans have the highest prevalence of hypertension in the world. Black adults are up to two times more likely to develop high blood pressure by age 55 compared to whites. Recognized in the early 1900s, the burden of hypertension among African Americans has been linked to geographical variances including access to healthy foods, high sodium intake, inactivity, etc.

The organizations established a website, Release the Pressure where women can pledge to take part in the “healthy blood pressure movement,” which urges black women to take four crucial steps:

1. Work with a healthcare provider to establish a blood pressure goal
2. Monitor blood pressure at home
3. Identify specific fitness and health goals
4. Identify a ‘squad’ that can help you with your goals and check in with them regularly

How this impacts providers: For provider awareness as an additional resource for your patients.

Next steps for providers: Texas Children Health Plan (TCHP) encourages you to share this website with your patients and encourage them to take the pledge to work with you to manage their blood pressure.

Additional hypertension intervention resources for providers and members:

• What is High Blood Pressure? Spanish
• Exercises to help reduce hypertension
• Physical Activity Log
• Monitor your blood pressure at home
• Blood Pressure Log
• Sodium Tracker 

Apps to assist members in managing blood pressure:

• Smart Bp – Blood Pressure Tracker: Apple; Google Play
• Welltory Heart Rate Monitor: Apple; Google Play
• Qardio Heart Health: Apple; Google Play
• Blood Pressure Diary: Google Play

If you have any questions, please email Provider Network Management at: providerrelations@texaschildrens.org.
For access to all provider alerts, log into:
www.thecheckup.org or www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/for-providers