Abstract 12625: Promoting Health Equity in Female San Joaquin South Asian Population

Introduction: South Asians (SA) have a higher death rate than any other population for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and high blood pressure (HBP). 1 out of 4 women die of heart disease in America. San Joaquin (SJ) has a growing rate of SA immigrant women who may be at risk for CVD. Objectives: Trainees conducted hypertension and CVD screenings at SA religious organizations to reduce the risk of CVD and spread awareness about the factors that lead to CVD and its implications in the SA female population due to environmental racism in the most underserved county for healthcare, SJ. Methods: I trained low-income minority medically ambitious female high school students to conduct weekly blood pressure screenings and serve as a health technology coach by each student monitoring 1 female hypertensive patient of 24 hypertensive or at risk hypertensive and low-income female SJ residents and constantly stressed, and at risk for CVD. CVD screenings were conducted at all SJ gurdwaras and mosques to spread awareness about female heart health and track hypertension in the SA community. Findings: -74.2% of the San Joaquin South Asian female population (SJSAFP) are at risk for CVD-52.9% of the SJSAFP are Stage 1 hypertensive-60.9% of the SJSAFP are Stage 2 hypertensive-22.4% of the SJSAFP have normal blood pressure but consume red meat more than 4 times a month-16.3% of the SJSAFP female population of SJ are hypotensive Direct Outcomes of Events: -Development of self advocacy in the SJSAFP community and females became activists for their own heart health-SJ female high school students trained for community outreach events and determined to practice medicine in SJ to address female health disparities-Youth learned the value of empathy, multiculturalism, gender health equity and service to disadvantaged communities through the program and volunteering-Increased participation of youth and women, in an otherwise adult and male dominant environment (i.e. the mosques and gurdwaras)-Increased awareness on the determinants of CVD and hypertension in SJSAFP-Increased interaction between community members of different religions, creed and genders -Awareness and education among the SJSAFP community for better heart health-Improved patient provider trust