Community Service Screenings at Jackson Academy
By: Anne Norwood, PhD, FNP-BC
Dr. Anne Norwood
Associate Dean for Practice and PartnershipsAs part of ‘American Heart Month’ and a community service event, SON faculty volunteered their time to take blood pressure and measure blood glucose for faculty and staff at Jackson Academy. Providing basic community service activities is necessary to identify people unaware of elevations in these important measures.
Why are these screenings so important? Because the statistics are grim!
Unfortunately, approximately 14.4% of adults 18 and older have been diagnosed with diabetes in Mississippi (CDC, 2018), and the Mississippi State Department of Health reported in 2021 '43.9% of adult Mississippians experienced high blood pressure, an increase in 11.7%, which is 36.3% higher than the national average.’
Kathy Sheffield, RN, Jackson Academy's school nurse, and Dr. Anne Norwood, associate dean for practice and partnerships, coordinated the screening event. The event encouraged employees at Jackson Academy to be aware of the key indicators of heart health and get medical care if necessary.
"It was a great opportunity to take blood pressure, check blood glucose, and explain the findings," said Norwood. "Many people do not understand the numbers, so we were able to educate participants about their numbers and focus on the prevention and treatment of elevated blood pressure and blood glucose through health education."
Information about COVID-19, preventing the spread of disease, and the COVID-19 vaccine were also on hand for those interested.
Associate Professor Dr. Kathy Rhodes further explained, "Mississippi has one of the highest diabetes rates and highest hypertension prevalence in the country. I think it is important we screen everyone we can to prevent complications and promote a quality lifestyle."