{
  "abstract": "Background Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide, with up to 46% of adults unaware they have it. Community outreach programs can reach vulnerable populations ( figure 1). The Irish Heart Foundation’s Mobile Health Unit (MHU) offers free heart health checks to increase awareness and early detection of elevated blood pressure. This study evaluates the MHU’s effectiveness in identifying individuals unaware of their condition and promoting health awareness.Methods Participants (n=300) received free blood pressure checks from the MHU at 14 locations across Ireland. Baseline questionnaires on health status, lifestyle behaviours, and health service engagement were completed, with a follow-up phone call after six weeks (n=182). The study assessed changes in awareness, behaviour, and GP follow-ups post-health check.Results The MHU reached a diverse sample (ages 18–84), with 39.5% having no prior awareness of their BP levels. Results indicated that 48% were not in current employment, and 56% had not attained further education. The sample was 40% male and 60% female, with even representation of urban and rural dwellers. Of the participants, 22.1% were diagnosed with high blood pressure, and 42.9% were prehypertensive. Notably, 39.5% were unaware of their hypertension before the check. Six weeks later, 70% of those advised to visit GPs followed through. Among these, 28.2% underwent additional tests, 10.3% were diagnosed with hypertension, and 42.3% made lifestyle changes. More males (34.2%) than females (14.4%) had high blood pressure. Participants most commonly cited the convenience of the MHU (34.4%) as their reason for getting their BP checked.Conclusions The MHU effectively engages at-risk groups with blood pressure awareness and opportunistic checks, contributing to positive behaviour changes and increased engagement with health services. These findings support expanding the service to more underserved areas. Recommendations include increasing funding, conducting an economic evaluation, and focusing on targeted reach strategies.Abstract 16 Figure 1",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Irish Heart Foundation, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "T James"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "South East Technological University, Carlow, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "N Briggs"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "South East Technological University, Carlow, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "B Lambe"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "South East Technological University, Carlow, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "B Kehoe"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "South East Technological University, Carlow, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "A McGrath"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Irish Heart Foundation, Dublin, Ireland"
      ],
      "name": "J Morrissey"
    }
  ],
  "title": "16 Hearts in motion: evaluating the utility of the Irish heart foundations’ mobile health unit",
  "uid": "a4383d80-b3e0-5714-9112-d53847e966fc"
}