Community Health Spotlight: Rosewood Zaragosa Neighborhood Center

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, has become increasingly prevalent in the United States as stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and other risk factors become more common.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of 2008, one in three adults over age 20 suffers from hypertension.  Many of the poorest Americans may go undiagnosed, a troubling thought since hypertension can be a contributing factor to many other illnesses.  For those who cannot see their doctor regularly, it is important that they find a way to routinely monitor their blood pressure.  The Rosewood Zaragosa Neighborhood Center provides just this service for residents of East Austin.

Every second Friday of the month, volunteers from Rosewood Zaragosa offer free blood pressure screenings to recipients of the Capital Area Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry, hosted at the Southwest Key Headquarters in East Austin.  As the line for food distribution accumulates, volunteers can check individuals’ blood pressure for them so they can know whether it is within the healthy range or not.

By providing this simple, easily-accessible service to those in need, Rosewood Zaragosa Neighborhood Center is taking a small but substantial step in improving health knowledge in East Austin.  The more residents know about their blood pressure status and the risks of hypertension, the more empowered they are to be proactive in addressing their personal health and the health of their families.

- Kelle Kampa

Communications Intern

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