Impact of an urban community hypertension screening program on participating high school students.

Background: Hypertension is increasingly being recognized as a major health problem in adolescents, particularly those of minority ethnicity. We assessed elevated blood pressure (BP) prevalence and predictors, as well as the impact of participating in a community hypertension screening program among high school students in an urban school district.

Methods: In 2008, 603 predominantly Hispanic students from nine Los Angeles high schools in predominantly Hispanic communities were recruited and trained to screen for high BP (> or = 140/90 mm Hg) in their communities.

Educating and mobilizing youth to detect undiagnosed elevated blood pressure: searching for the silent killer.

Background: Hispanic individuals with high blood pressure are less likely than other ethnic groups to be aware of their high blood pressure or to be on medication for the condition. We investigated the feasibility of using high school students in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods to conduct a large-scale blood pressure screening and education outreach in their communities.

Methods: In 2005, 960 students from Los Angeles high schools in predominantly Hispanic communities were trained to conduct blood pressure screening and provide educational materials and referrals.