Hancock County Library System, American Heart Association team up to offer heart health resources
HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- Hancock County is taking a step to improve community health.
Through a partnership between the county library system and the American Heart Association, free blood pressure monitoring is now more accessible to residents.
A ribbon-cutting celebration at the Bay St. Louis Library marks the launch of a new community health initiative.
Through a partnership with the American Heart Association, Hancock County residents now have free access to blood pressure monitoring resources at their local libraries. American Heart Association Community Impact Director Evan Duffy said, “So, we’re really excited to be launching a new initiative with the Hancock County Library System to extend blood pressure measurement resources to the community so that folks who don’t have access to a blood pressure measurement device can check one out, take it home, and collect that data that their healthcare practitioner may need to propose interventions for their health and get their blood pressure back down and in range. We launched one in the Harrison County Library System in March, same kind of loaner library. So, people can check out. There are six kits per branch in Harrison and now Hancock. So, folks can check them out and take them home and get those accurate measurements that are far more accurate than measurements that you can get anywhere else. You can use that information next time you go to your doctor’s appointment.”
The program features a self-monitoring station at the Bay St. Louis Library, where visitors can quickly and easily check their blood pressure.
Residents can also check out blood pressure cuffs from any branch of the Hancock County Library System, allowing them to monitor their health from home.
The goal is to give people an easy, convenient way to keep track of their health. Hancock County Library System Executive Director John Brdecka said, “Oh, it is great to have it in a library. First of all, you need to take your blood pressure in a place you feel comfortable. Sometimes when you’re in the doctor office, you’re all nervous and you don’t know what’s going to happen. In a library setting, it’s very calm and relaxed. It’s a setting where we’re not asking anything from you. It’s one place where you can go where people aren’t asking you to spend money. You’re just here to be yourself.”
For more information about the program and heart health resources, residents can contact the Hancock County Library System or visit their local branch.
