A year out, cutting blood pressure in the barbershop still works

Earlier this year, a study found that stationing pharmacists in barbershops successfully lowered blood pressure in high-risk African-American men. Barbers screened customers for high blood pressure and handed them off to pharmacists, who were there to prescribe medications and offer lifestyle changes. In the trial’s control group, barbers referred patrons with high blood pressure to doctors. Six months in, blood pressure fell in both groups, but dropped much more dramatically among men who saw pharmacists on the spot.

Now, in a follow-up study that stretched a year, the researchers report the results were sustained and, in some cases, blood pressure improved even more. The researchers are now looking to broaden the use of barbershop-based care in high-risk communities.