Staten Island USA

  • Home
  • BP James Oddo
  • News
  • Events
  • Initiatives
  • Resources
  • According to Jim
  • Social
  • Contact/Report
  • Budget
  • Home
  • BP James Oddo
  • News
  • Events
  • Initiatives
  • Resources
  • According to Jim
  • Social
  • Contact/Report
  • Budget
Picture
Designed to address high blood pressure concerns among African American men in barbershops along the North Shore of Staten Island.
​

Borough President James Oddo has kicked off ‘Take the Pressure Off Staten Island’ (TPO SI), a pilot program offered within barbershops on the North Shore in an effort to increase the awareness and treatment of high blood pressure among black men in our community. It officially began at Against da Grain Barber Shop (206 Bay Street) on Aug. 8. TPO SI is a program offered through a partnership with the City Health Department and Dr. Joseph Ravenell, an expert in the field of hypertension, along with community partners.
 
About Hypertension
Hypertension is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke among New Yorkers; more than one in four adult New Yorkers is diagnosed with high blood pressure. In New York City, the prevalence of hypertension is 1.5 times higher among African American adults than white adults, and African American men have a significantly higher rate of hypertension than white men. Individuals in communities with high health disparities have historically struggled to access care.
 
On Staten Island, the number of hospitalizations related to hypertension are higher than other boroughs. St. George/Stapleton ranks in the top ten neighborhoods in the City for hypertension hospitalizations and heart disease. 
 
“From the first moment I saw Dr. Ravenell’s TED Talk about how barbershops could be used to help address hypertension among black men, Borough Hall has been working to set up a pilot program we could replicate on Staten Island. As we have heard government express such dismay at health disparities of COVID impacts across the city, we are grateful to be at this point in our effort to team up with Dr. Ravenell to expand his brilliantly simple yet effective plan of using barbershops to address tragically high hypertension rates among black men. The "Silent Killer" is wreaking havoc on Staten Island, too,” said Borough President James Oddo. “Going for a haircut has always been thought of - and rightly so - as contributing to a neat and clean appearance.  But now there is something more to it:  for some folks, it may be contributing to a longer life.”

Picture
According to the American Heart Association, here are the guidelines for blood pressure:
  • Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg;
  • Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80;
  • Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89;
  • Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg;
  • Hypertensive crisis: Systolic over 180 and/or diastolic over 120, with patients needing prompt changes in medication if there are no other indications of problems, or immediate hospitalization if there are signs of organ damage.

Picture
About the Program
Dr. Ravenell started a Men’s Health Initiative at NYU’s Langone Health to address high blood pressure by bringing together a diverse group of research assistants, community health workers, and volunteers—including barbers—to barbershops in various neighborhoods across New York City to take blood pressure readings of African American men and connect those who are at risk of hypertension with medical care. The results of the program show a significant improvement in blood pressure among barbershop customers who participated.
 
BP Oddo first discovered Dr. Joseph Ravenell’s work while reading “Who Can You Trust?” by Rachel Botsman. He subsequently watched Dr. Ravenell’s TED Talk on African American men and high blood pressure which detailed the barbershop pilot program. BP Oddo invited Dr. Ravenell to Borough Hall for a meeting with his staff and local clergy in June 2018 to talk about replicating the program on Staten Island. Over the past two years, Borough President Oddo and Dr. Ravenell have worked cohesively to replicate this program for Staten Island.
How to get involved
Men wishing to have their blood pressure checked at their next haircut can go to participating barbershops for services.
  • Against da Grain - 206 Bay Street
  • Executive Cuts - 382 Bay Street

Locations where you can get your blood pressure checked:
​Community Health Action of Staten Island
56 Bay Street, SI, NY 10301

Rite Aid Pharmacy
385 Bay Street, SI, NY 10301

Port Richmond Community Food Pantry
2134 Richmond Terrace, SI, NY 10302

Stop & Shop
1351 Forest Avenue, SI, NY 10302

CVS Pharmacy
2045 Forest Avenue, SI, NY 10303

CVS Pharmacy
1125 Bay Street, SI, NY 10305

CVS Pharmacy
1361 Hylan Boulevard, SI, NY 10305

Ocean Breeze Pharmacy
1817 Hylan Boulevard, SI, NY 10305

Hylan Medicine Cabinet
1988 Hylan Boulevard, SI, NY 10306

ShopRite
2424 Hylan Boulevard, SI, NY 10306
​Stop & Shop
2754 Hylan Boulevard, SI, NY 10306

CVS Pharmacy
250 Page Avenue, SI, NY 10307

ShopRite
3010 Veterans Road West, SI, NY 10309

CVS Pharmacy
260 Arden Avenue, SI, NY 10312

Rite Aid Pharmacy
4368 Amboy Road, SI, NY 10312

CVS Pharmacy
778 Manor Road, SI, NY 10314

CVS Pharmacy
1654 Richmond Avenue, SI, NY 10314

Rite Aid Pharmacy
2271 Richmond Avenue, SI, NY 10314

ShopRite
985 Richmond Avenue, SI, NY 10314
Picture
RESOURCES
​
​Helpful Links
Local Government
Borough Board
INITIATIVES
​
​Clean Up SI
​
Culture & The Arts
​Economic Development
Education


​Health & Wellness
Infrastructure
Parks
Substance Abuse


​The Heart Project
Tourism
Transparency
Transportation
CONTACT

​BP Assist Mobile App
BP's Office
Staff Directory
Internships
About Us
Privacy Policy
Office of Staten Island Borough President James S. Oddo  •  10 Richmond Terrace  •  Staten Island, NY 10301  •  718-816-2000
Picture