May Measurement Month 2023: results of a blood pressure screening campaign in Australia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Australia in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). This article reports the results of the campaign. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling in metropolitan and regional Australia including hospitals, universities, pharmacies, libraries, and community centres. Three seated BP readings were taken on each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP <140/90 mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 2284 were screened, with a mean age of 39.5 years and 52.1% of whom were female. Of all participants, 679 (29.7%) had hypertension, of whom 356 (52.4%) were aware, and 315 (46.4%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 156 (49.5%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 23.0% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Australia identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. The MMM campaign continues to be a cost-effective strategy in Australia to screen participants for hypertension, assess BP control and refer participants to primary care physicians where appropriate. Further efforts from all stakeholders are essential to further improve the reach of the MMM campaign in Australia, to increase awareness and improve BP control in line with the National Hypertension Taskforce of Australia Roadmap.
Institutions: The University of Western Australia, Royal Perth Hospital, Curtin University, Macquarie University, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, UNSW Sydney, The George Institute for Global Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Monash University, The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7142115397
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