taxi meters: measuring effectiveness of technology, education, referrals and support

Conditions: Improving Blood Pressure Control

Summary: in our past work it was found that many drivers had high blood pressure, and lifestyles that led to being overweight and not having cancer screenings performed. the investigators are now adding to the health fairs' usual program different ways of following up with drivers who attend our health fairs. the investigators are doing this because they want to find the best way to help drivers manage high blood pressure, and reduce cancer risk, by maintaining a healthy weight and increasing colorectal cancer screening. health screenings will be conducted by trained personnel, and a physician or nurse will provide a health consult in person or over the phone (via msk-issued phone/video/audio devices). in the event that participants are unable to meet in person for biometric measurements, staff will accept their self-reported weight, blood pressure, and waist circumference over the phone. staff may mail blood pressure machines (to participants who did not receive them at baseline), scales, and measuring tapes to participants to assist in the completion of self-reported biometric measures. along with supplies, participants may also receive a letter asking for the confirmation of supply receipt. \* if critically abnormal values are identified during the health fair, under the advisement of the clinician, the driver may be escorted by trained staff directly to a health care facility for immediate medical follow-up


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * male * hypertensive-level readings over three weeks, with at least two of three elevated bp readings (systolic ≥140 and/or diastolic ≥90); or * one hypertensive crisis readings (systolic ≥165 and/or diastolic ≥100) {eligible for the study without having to return for second or third readings} or * have a known diagnosis of hypertension and have elevated values at one reading {eligible for the study without having to return for second or third readings} * over 19 years of age (we are selecting participants older than three years past the legal driving age of 16, as younger drivers tend to change jobs more often); * planning on remaining in nyc for at least 9 months (with no vacations or trips to exceed two months) * licensed taxi driver for at least 3 months; * speaks english, spanish, bengali, urdu, or french; * owns a cell phone that can receive text messages and is willing to receive text messages for this study exclusion criteria: * part-time driver (drives fewer than 35 hours per week). although it is highly unlikely for nyc taxi drivers to work for multiple garages at study baseline, drivers may switch jobs and/or their garage base affiliation while participating in this study. new jobs and/or garage base affiliations will be tracked during follow-up assessments and noted for potential limitations with study retention and intervention contamination. drivers will be allowed to continue the study even if they are no longer working with the initial garage base. * driver currently has (or has a history of) any cvd including coronary artery disease, angina or aortic stenosis; this does not include hypertension.

Keywords: taxi cab drivers high blood pressure 16-038