What is MMM?
May Measurement Month(MMM) is an initiative led by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and endorsed by the World Hypertension League (WHL). It grew out of World Hypertension Day(celebrated on 17th May), which was launched by the WHL in 2005 to raise awareness around blood pressure worldwide.
MMM was launched in May 2017 and shifted the spotlight on increasing accessibility to blood pressure screening as potentially the most effective way to reduce hypertension’s adverse toll on health.
Volunteers in more than 100 countries screened people in cities, towns, and villages as part of the largest synchronized public blood pressure screening exercise the world has ever seen. All participants were screened for their blood pressure, BMI and those found to be hypertensive were advised and counseled about what they need to do next.
MMM 2017- Pune Campaign
The Pune campaign is being led by Dr. Mansi Patil, Joint Secretary, The Indian Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IAPEN) which is a young non-profit organization in the field of parenteral and enteral nutrition and promotes basic research, clinical research, advanced education, organization of consensus statements about clinical care and quality control.
Success of Pune MMM 2017
The Pune campaign of MMM 2017 was one of the most successful campaigns around the world with 24,000 individuals screened in a span of 30 days and the effort was acknowledged worldwide. The MMM 2017 Pune campaign was the largest campaign in India where we screened 24,000 individuals in a span of 30 days with the help of 96 relentless volunteers. During this month, we organized 24 screening camps in housing societies, churches, temples, fitness clubs etc. The largest of these camps was organized at the Alandi Temple where we measured the blood pressure of 3487 devotees. Out of these, 98% of them had never got their blood pressures measured in their lives. Almost 20% had high blood pressure (Systolic Blood pressure- 139± 8.2 mmHg, Diastolic blood pressure- 88.2± 5.6mmHg) levels and did not know about it.
Expanse of Pune MMM 2017 Campaign
Along with the screening, we conducted 23 awareness lectures in various hospitals, clinics, colleges, hotels, and malls. The doctors, nurses, and para-medical staff were sensitized to measure the blood pressure of every patient and their relatives visiting them and providing these people with general guidelines towards healthy living (regular exercise, low salt, sugar intake, stopping alcohol and tobacco consumption and avoiding junk foods). The lectures for patients, their relatives, and others stressed healthy eating habits, regular structured exercises, and educating them about high blood pressure levels and associated risk factors.
Results of Pune MMM 2017 Campaign
Last year’s data shows almost 1/4th (24.7%) of the population of Pune as hypertensive, though only 50% of these people knew about it. Hypertension was also equally prevalent in all socio-economic strata across all age groups. A significant finding was that the population of Pune has a higher mean Systolic BP (122.6±7.2 mmHg in females, 127.9±7.9 mmHg in males) than the international average Systolic BP (109.4±6.3 mmHg in females, 116.2±8.1 mmHg in males). This calls for further robust data to support regional guidelines and recommendations.
Read our story at https://maymeasure.com/india-volunteers-screen-nearly-20000-mmm17-pune-campaign/
