Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grants - Institute/Initiative Community Support

High blood pressure affects 1 in 4 Canadians and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. One of the most effective ways to manage high blood pressure is through healthy eating. Dietitians can help individuals make changes to their eating habits, but many individuals in Canada do not have access to this kind of support. We do not fully understand who is being referred to dietitians, what kind of nutrition advice individuals are getting, or what barriers they face, particularly among those living in rural areas, with lower incomes, or from diverse communities. This project will bring together patients, health professionals, community members, and researchers to help identify the most important questions that future research should target. We will host a series of workshops to review current evidence, share lived experiences, and set priorities for larger studies. Through a series of collaborative workshops, we hope to lay the foundation for future research aimed at improving access to nutrition services and health outcomes for individuals living with hypertension.