A veterinary and nursing collaboration to increase access to healthcare

Abstract

Hypertension is associated with almost 25% of US deaths. Philadelphia has the highest prevalence of hypertension of the 6 largest cities in the US, predominantly in non-Hispanic Black communities. Social determinants of health (SDOH) contribute to the development of hypertension and limit access to preventative resources and treatment. This case study describes an interprofessional collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania Schools of Nursing and Veterinary Medicine to offer blood pressure screenings at the annual MLK Day of Service Wellness and Vaccination Clinic. Clients were approached for blood pressure screenings and health education. Sixty-seven clients (48.2%), largely from zip codes with high levels of hypertension, agreed to blood pressure screening; 45 (67.2%) clients were hypertensive. Our One Health clinic could be a model to reach residents in marginalized communities.