How The American Heart Association is Bringing Heart Health to NC libraries
Fontana Regional Library's Libraries with Heart Initiative
In the summer of 2024, Fontana Regional Library partnered with the American Heart Association to supply blood pressure kits and freestanding kiosks to the libraries across the Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.
The partnership with the American Heart Association comes alongside the association’s ongoing initiative to provide libraries across the country with blood pressure resources. These resources come in the forms of easily portable blood pressure kits, kiosks, and/or tabletop devices.
With these resources, Fontana Regional Library has been able to provide their community with access to medical devices and launched a health program series in partnership with local hospitals.
Tonya Ehrhardt, a Senior Regional Consultant for the Southeast Region of the American Heart Association, which includes Western North Carolina, touched on her close involvement with Fontana Regional Library as the regional contact.
“I’ve been so inspired by the team at Fontana Regional Library. They have been so passionate and engaging, with great ideas and always ready to talk about what other ways they can support the community.”
Libraries with Heart began in North Carolina three years ago through a partnership with the Getting to the Heart of Stroke program, an initiative launched by the American Stroke Association to increase public awareness of stokes and to emphasize professional education. Collaborations with staff at the Angel Medical Center allowed the American Heart Association to provide librarians with the tools to prepare for the launch. The training focused on helping patrons utilize the resources effectively and how to refer to outside care if necessary.
The initiative branches out to various other libraries across North Carolina including Chatham, Forsyth, Granville, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Pitt, Wake, Wayne and Warren counties.
“Many are surprised to learn how prevalent high blood pressure is in their local community and they are excited to learn how they can be a part of helping encourage awareness and action.” Continued Erdhardt.
The American Heart Association intends to continue to branch the initiative out to different libraries, providing communities with the resources to stay heart healthy.