To Improve Global Health and Save Lives
MMM STATEMENT
MAY MEASUREMENT MONTH IS SET TO REPEAT ITS GLOBAL BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS IN 2018
TO IMPROVE GLOBAL HEALTH AND SAVE LIVES
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Following the success of May Measurement Month (MMM17), plans are already in place to repeat the mass synchronised global blood pressure screening campaign next May. Launched in May 2017, May Measurement Month is an initiative led by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and endorsed by the World Hypertension League - building on World Hypertension Day, to raise awareness of the issues surrounding hypertension (or high blood pressure) during the month of May. Why? Because hypertension is the number one risk factor for global death. Around 10 million people die each year due to conditions related to hypertension, but we know that they can’t be treated unless hypertension is detected. According to the PURE* study only 46.5% of people who have high blood pressure (BP) actually know they have it, despite the fact that detection is very simple. It costs very little and takes only a few minutes to measure someone’s blood pressure - a simple measure that, if leading to treatment, could substantially reduce the burden of global disease. Unless the public has access to screening to increase that awareness, then the impact of scientific advances in controlling hypertension are limited, and that’s where May Measurement Month comes in. As Professor Neil Poulter, ISH President stated, “We want May Measurement Month to help turn that 46.5% to 96%. When we reach that level of awareness, then we can stop”.
A united goal resulted in global reach - despite minimal resource
Galvanising a global campaign of this scale is difficult to achieve with the largest of budgets, yet MMM17 measured the blood pressure of over 1.2 million people across 100 countries during its inaugural year - with limited resources, relying on the goodwill of its many volunteers. The common desire to increase awareness of the issues surrounding hypertension is what made this possible. We can often reduce hypertension with known lifestyle changes and existing drugs, but unless people know they have hypertension they can’t be treated. So, a key objective of May Measurement Month is, not only to increase public awareness, but also to collect scientific evidence to help influence global health policy and make blood pressure screening more widely available around the world.
At a global level, we know over 100,000 people were identified as being hypertensive during MMM17. These people were previously unaware of this and can now take steps to improve their health.
At a country level, in ‘COUNTRY X’ we measured the BP of XXXXpeople (Please contact to for your country’s final data number accepted for MMM).
Please add any anecdotal comment on the impact. Examples (to replaced with yours): In Cameroon, Dr Lilian Ngwana raised awareness of a screening event via Balikumbat Community Radio. MMM provided the stakeholder engagement to allow a blood pressure and blood sugar control clinic to be set up.
In rural India, Dr Arun More reported that 84% individuals involved in his region had their BP checked for the first time in their life and initial analysis indicates that over a third of those participants had hypertension. These are lives that can be improved or even saved.
MMM17 attracted Celebrity Endorsement and Publicity
MMM17 clearly captured the hearts and minds of many, which encouraged endorsement by celebrities and allowed MMM17 to gain traction through their influential reach. From global ambassador, actor Will Poulter, to support from local public figures, including singers, actors, TV presenters, sports celebrities. E.g.:
- Kenyan’s famous gospel singer, LinetMasiroMunyali — known as “Size 8 — who had previously been diagnosed with hypertension during pregnancy
- UTV presenter MaameYaaKonama in Ghana
- In the Philippines, the former-President had his BP measured publicly to launch MMM17
- Brazil worked with a famous actor to launch MMM17 with a short film about hypertension
- In Ireland, Classic Hits 4M presenter Damien Farrelly had his blood pressure checked live during an outside broadcast hosted by Lloyds Pharmacy
- Cardiff Football Club had their BP measured publicly to launch MMM in Wales.
This helped gain a significant amount of media coverage – from TV, social media and scientific press. In the Philippines, for example, MMM attracted coverage including GMA News and The Inquirer, and on the government’s website. Your Country specific examples can replace the Philippines. If you have lots to mention from your country, please feel free to move the global examples.
Global Objectives met through local approaches
The global breadth of MMM covered vastly differing cultures. Striving for common objectives, raising awareness in the community needed a very localised approach. As well as celebrity PR and advertising, MMM saw awareness marches in Pakistan, street plays and knocking on village doors in rural communities of India, engagement of community leaders in Malawi, as well as endorsement from government officials in the Philippines.
The screenings themselves were held in many locations, including hospitals, community centres, schools, supermarkets and factories. In Indonesia screenings were also held outside on busy market days. In Country X, we focused on …. (add screening details)
MMM17 was just the start
MMM17 is not a one hit wonder. In January 2018, over 70 of the world’s influential voices in hypertension and cardiology, representing 50 of the countries involved in MMM17, gathered in London to share their experiences in preparation for MMM18. According to filmed interviews and general feedback, the sharing of each other’s experiences has spurred everyone’s ambition, to continue and to do more, so that more lives can be improved / saved. As President Elect of ISH, Professor Alta Schutte, says, “We started with a blank page, this gives us the energy to go forward”.
Next stop for MMM?
To continue to save lives we need to recruit volunteers and partners to help us deliver an even better MMM18 – so that we can grow MMM long-term to reach our ambition: to turn the 46.5% of hypertensive people, who are aware of their blood pressure, into 96%.
For further information, please contact:
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Reference: * Hypertension: Awareness, Treatment & Control by National Income: 2003 – 2009. PURE Study. Chow et al. JAMA 2013; 310(9):959-68.