The Role of Lay Volunteers in a Community Hypertension Control Program

Abstract

A study to evaluate the effectiveness of a community hypertension program by the Red Cross in Greater New York hypothesized that trained lay volunteers providing screenings and appropriate referrals is low-cost ($1.44 per screening); and that it is feasible to provide knowledge training to lay volunteers possessing the communica tion skills necessary to establish a climate conducive to effective counseling thereby addressing the limited availability of professional volunteers compared to the num ber of hypertensives needing assistance in achieving blood pressure control. The twelve participants in the counseling program pilot achieved an average reduction of 20.4mmHg systolic and 15mmHg diastolic.