The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy will host “Roll Up Your Sleeves, Edwardsville” during the afternoon of April 11.
It is a citywide wellness event, where teams of 2-3 pharmacy students and one faculty pharmacist will visit Edwardsville businesses to perform blood pressure screenings for employees. Twelve teams will cover the city for five hours.
This program is being performed in conjunction with the City of Edwardsville with the support of Mayor Hal Patton.
“Hypertension is an extremely prevalent disease, with nearly 90 percent of all Americans suffering from the disease at some point in their lives,” said. Dr. J. Christopher Lynch, SIUE professor of pharmacy practice. “Because hypertension typically has no symptoms, many working-age adults may have the disease without realizing it.”
Typical health fairs ask participants to come to the providers. This is the reverse where the providers go to the participants.
SIUE teams will quickly and accurately measure the blood pressures of any employees, who wish to participate, and then move on to the next scheduled business location. In this manner, those too busy to attend screening events or their doctor’s office can know their blood pressure reading.
Businesses wishing to participate may contact Jennifer Koehne at the SIUE School of Pharmacy at (618) 650-5164.
Photo: SIUE’s Dr. Andrea Basso administers blood pressure screening.