Residents of seven public housing communities in Kent and Sussex counties will soon have free, on-site access to blood pressure checking devices, educational materials and referrals for follow-up care, officials announced Friday. The initiative is a collaboration between the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Delaware Chapter of the American Heart Association.
Why the effort matters locally
Delaware’s stroke mortality rate drew national attention after the Centers for Disease Control’s National Vital Statistics System reported in 2024 that the state had the highest stroke death rate in the country — 62.6 deaths per 100,000 people. DSHA officials also pointed to problematic cardiovascular-health metrics within a Dover census tract that contains two public housing communities.
The program places screening equipment where residents already live in order to remove barriers to early detection and care. DSHA Director Matthew Heckles framed the project as an extension of the agency’s broader mission to improve financial, reading and health literacy services for residents in Kent and Sussex counties.
“DSHA’s collaboration with the American Heart Association aligns well with our mission to provide financial, reading and health literacy services to our residents in Kent and Sussex counties,”
Yinka Isichel, community impact manager for the American Heart Association in Delaware, emphasized the practical benefit of on-site stations.
“We’re empowering our community to take charge of their health by knowing their blood pressure numbers – and these accessible stations make it easier than ever to do just that,”
What residents can expect
- Access to blood pressure cuffs placed inside seven public housing communities.
- Educational materials about cardiovascular health and stroke prevention.
- Referrals for follow-up care if elevated readings or other concerns are identified.
The DSHA said two of the seven locations are in Dover; the remaining sites are in Kent and Sussex counties. Officials described the service as convenient and free to residents. No specific dates for rollout or the exact locations beyond the note that two sites are in Dover were released at the time of the announcement.
| Program detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Number of public housing communities receiving devices | 7 |
| Communities located in Dover | 2 |
| Counties served | Kent, Sussex |
For Delaware health officials and housing leaders, placing screening equipment where people live aims to catch high blood pressure earlier — a key step in preventing strokes and other cardiovascular events. Local residents who want more information about timing or how to use the stations should contact their public housing management office or the Delaware Chapter of the American Heart Association.
This effort follows broader statewide concerns about cardiovascular health and illustrates a trend in public health: bringing basic screening and health education into community settings to reduce access barriers for populations at higher risk.
