Blood Pressure Kiosk Available for Use at West End Branch Library
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| The new blood pressure kiosk is ready for patron use at the West End Branch. Monique Mullins of Jefferson County Health Dept. shows West End Library employee Ursula Walker how to use the kiosk. |
Birmingham, Ala. - The Birmingham Public Library offers so much more than free access to the Internet/public computer usage, and a place to check out books and DVDs. Now thanks to a partnership with the Jefferson County Department of Health and the West End Branch, patrons will have the ability to keep track of their blood pressure by using the new blood pressure kiosk that was installed on February 6, 2024.
According to the Alabama Department of Health, high blood pressure is often called "the silent killer" because it usually has no warning signs or symptoms until serious issues arise. The state health department says in 2021, over 42 percent of Alabamians reported having high blood pressure. Having high blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in Alabama.
BPL is proud to be in partnership with the JCDH to provide this service to patrons in and around the 35211 zip code.
West End Branch Manager Lynn Hutchins states, "Our library is proud to partner with the health department to provide assistance with monitoring blood pressure. Birmingham patrons will be able to visit the library as often as they wish to check their weight, BMI, pulse rate, and blood pressure."
"The Let’s Get Down 35211: High Blood Pressure Management" project places blood pressure measuring stations (kiosks) in four locations in the 35211 ZIP code to make it easier for residents to know their blood pressure numbers and take action to improve their health.
There are four locations in the 35211 area where you can use a blood pressure kiosk:
• Birmingham Public Library – West End Branch
1348 Tuscaloosa Avenue SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
2135 Jefferson Avenue SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Hours: TBD
• Mount Canaan Full Gospel Church
2725 24th Street SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Hours: TBD
• New Hope Baptist Church
1740 Cleburn Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35211
Hours: TBD
Kim Baldwin, Vice President of Health Strategies at the Birmingham American Heart Association, helped to bring the blood pressure kits to the Birmingham Public Library. BPL is proud to be in partnership with the American Heart Association's Libraries with with this special Heart Loaner Blood Pressure Monitor Program.
By Lynn Hutchins, West End Library Branch Manager and Roy Williams, BPL PR Director
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