High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer”—not because it’s rare, but because so many people are living with it without knowing their numbers. Across Cobb and Douglas counties, a new, community‑centered effort expands access to blood pressure monitoring and education.
Through a partnership between Wellstar Community Health, Wellstar Foundation, American Heart Association and Cobb & Douglas Public Health, the Know Your Numbers initiative is helping residents take an active role in their heart health—one reading at a time.
Meeting people where they are
At its core, Know Your Numbers is built on a simple yet powerful belief: Awareness is key to better health outcomes. Many people—especially those who are unable to get the healthcare they need—do not have easy access to blood pressure monitoring tools or clear information about what their numbers mean.
Know Your Numbers addresses that gap by placing easy‑to‑use blood pressure monitoring stations directly inside community and faith‑based spaces. These are places where people already feel safe, welcomed and supported. By placing these tools into trusted environments, the program reduces barriers and normalizes conversations about heart health.
More than a reading: education, empowerment and connection to care
Each blood pressure station is paired with an interactive education session led in partnership with the American Heart Association. Participants learn:
- How to properly take a blood pressure reading
- What the numbers mean for their health
- When and how to seek follow‑up care
This approach helps ensure that people don’t just know their blood pressure numbers—they know how to take action to stay healthy.
Advancing public health priorities together
Know Your Numbers is funded through the 2025–2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Partnership Grant awarded by Cobb & Douglas Public Health. The initiative directly advances CHIP priorities focused on access to care, chronic disease prevention and culturally responsive health education across Cobb and Douglas counties.
Through this grant period, the partnership is working toward meaningful outcomes, including:
- Installing blood pressure monitoring stations in community settings
- Delivering tailored education sessions on heart health
- Expanding access to individual blood pressure kits
- Increasing self‑reported blood pressure monitoring among participants
- Strengthening connections to primary care and social care resources
These efforts are committed to long-term engagement and results, not just a one-time blood pressure check.
A collective commitment to heart health equity
No single organization can address high blood pressure alone. What makes Know Your Numbers powerful is the strength of the partnership behind it. The Wellstar Foundation plays a critical role in grant funding and supporting the program, while community partners bring local insight and trust. Together with American Heart Association and Cobb & Douglas Public Health, the initiative demonstrates what is possible when clinical expertise, public health strategy and community voice come together.
Looking ahead: strengthening health through trusted community partnerships
As Know Your Numbers continues to grow, the heart of the initiative remains its partnership with local churches and faith‑based organizations that open their doors, lend their leadership and serve as trusted anchors for health in their communities. These congregations are not simply host sites—they are active partners in promoting prevention, wellness and connection to care.
A special thank you to our Congregational Health Network partners supporting this work by hosting blood pressure monitoring stations:
