Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

High blood pressure (BP), also known as hypertension (HTN), is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for about half of all heart and stroke related events. Nine out of 10 adults will develop HTN in their lifetime. However, the detection, treatment and control of HTN is worsening in Canada, especially among women. Hypertension Canada, a collaborating organization on this project, has called on governments to implement policies that foster partnerships between communities, pharmacists, and other primary care providers to address HTN. Community pharmacists can effectively detect, monitor, and manage cases of HTN. Pharmacist care for HTN is supported by patients and can lower healthcare costs. In 2022, members of our team conducted a pilot project in Newfoundland and Labrador to screen individuals for elevated BP; measurement was performed by community pharmacists using an automated device. More than 450 people took part in the project and 27% had elevated BP. A second project was launched in 2023, as part of May Measurement Month, with expansion to pharmacies in Alberta and British Columbia, and nearly 1000 people have taken part to date. Now, we are seeking funding to host a research planning activity to (i) build a pan-Canadian network of junior and senior researchers, patients, community leaders, students, and policymakers and (ii) develop a concrete research agenda focused on HTN screening and control by pharmacists across Canada. Guided by the principles of integrated knowledge translation (iKT), research objectives will be developed with patients and knowledge users. This activity aligns with the strategic priorities of the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health to support research that builds capacity, mobilizes knowledge, and catalyzes impact on circulatory health. It also intersects with the mandates of the Institute of Health Services and Policy Research and the Institute of Population and Public Health.