Hypertension is one of the most important preventable contributors to disease and death leading to myocardial infarction, stroke, and renal failure when not detected early and treated appropriately (JNC 8, 2014). The Philippines, like other developing countries, exhibits similar increasing trend of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).

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            Hypertension was the 3rd leading cause of morbidity in the Municipality of Sindangan in 2018. Hypertension ranked 8th among the leading causes of morbidity in the barangay (RHU, 2018). In addition, hypertension placed 1st in the leading chronic illnesses based on the recent house-to-house survey conducted by the researchers in the year 2019. Despite it usually being asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic in the early stage, it is a risk factor for several diseases, some of which can result in disability or death.  Risk factors of hypertension include but are not limited to sedentary lifestyle, high fat and salt diet, obesity, age, smoking and genetics.

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           A blood pressure measurement with at least two (2) readings were averaged and was categorized using the Joint National Committee (JNC) 7 guidelines. Out of the 417 individuals ages 18 years old and above whose blood pressure monitoring were monitored and assessed, there have been 182 identified cases of Pre-Hypertension, 64 identified cases of Stage 1 Hypertension and 32 identified cases of Stage 2 Hypertension based on the survey done last January 2020. On April 2021, there have been 155 identified cases of Pre-Hypertension, 90 identified cases of Stage 1 Hypertension, and 32 identified cases of Stage 2 Hypertension. As of July 2021, there are 90 cases of identified Pre-Hypertension, 102 cases of Stage 1 Hypertension and 31 cases of Stage 2 Hypertension based on the re-assessment of blood pressures of the enrolled participants. Another problem is the non-compliance in taking their anti-hypertensive medications.

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                 The proposed solutions for this health problem are elaborately focused on the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension with emphasis on community engagement and mobilization, promotion of healthy lifestyle, building healthy public policies and supportive environments, establishing partnerships and inter-sectoral linkages, making health services available and accessible, strengthening program management, and ensuring stable financing for the program. The target of the proposed solutions are: first, to develop or adopt policies that support local NCD prevention and control and ensure consistent compliance to the mandated regulations; second, to intensify health awareness and knowledge about hypertension and its risks factors, complications, management and prevention to target audiences; third, to establish an organization for the hypertensive individuals in the barangay in which will actively participate in the activities and programs that will help improve, maintain, and control the blood pressure monitoring results of the residents; fourth, to strengthen the skills of health personnel in proper detection, management and referral of identified hypertensive individuals; fifth, to initiate efforts and to advocate the creation of supportive environments in such a way that the residents’ living conditions are safe, stimulating, satisfying and enjoyable; and sixth, to ensure sustainable health care financing schemes that would sustain the health care services on hypertension and other noncommunicable disease programs of the barangay health station for the community in the long run.

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                 The solutions would also gear towards the compliance of maintenance medications by the hypertensive individuals. By training residents with self-reports of hypertension diagnosis (awareness), use of BP-lowering medications in those with hypertension (treatment), and achievement of satisfactory SBP/DBP during treatment of hypertension (control), complications such as cardiac disease, stroke, aneurysm, kidney failure and hypertensive retinopathy can be prevented.

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           The researchers believe that the most effective foundation established to control hypertension is when an individual is motivated to medication compliance and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By motivating the residents, the researchers are hopeful that building trust and increasing strong communication with patients and families will improve positive attitudes towards health promotion and disease prevention. By creating and training the Maras Hypertension Health Club core members to oversee the programs, the researchers believe that community awareness and support for healthy lifestyle will continue to be cultivated. Furthermore, by establishing health financing schemes to support the NCD prevention and control activities in the locality, the researchers are encouraged that this project will continue for many years to come. 

                     Nonetheless, to sustain this project in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a greater challenge not just for the researchers but for the community of Barangay Maras. Still, these implementations are essential to be accomplished through new platforms such as the social media in this New Normal.