Hancock, a member of Dr. Denny Yu's HEAL group, was part of a milti-disciplinary team from Purdue Industrial Engineering, Purdue College of Pharmacy, Fort Wayne Custom Rx, and William Henry Harrison High School. The team developed an interactive blood pressure device and protocol to educate people on the dangers of hypertension by providing a tangible model of the differences of pressure placed on the heart. They recruited random participants at health screening events through the American Pharmacists Assocation Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) and educated them about basic blood pressure readings, risk factors, complications, and options to improve health outcomes. The resulting research poster, "Novel Simulation of Controlled and Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Device", shows how the device was anecdotally effective in demonstrating the difference between healthy and unhealthy hearts, and that the program had a positive affect on heart education comprehension.

"By providing individuals with a tangible model of the heart's pumping process, the novel educational device has potential to enhance knowledge and empower patients with better understanding of concepts associated with hypertension," said Hancock.

The team hopes to continue future research with the Purdue College of Nursing. They plan to include items assessing the efficacy of education using the device and its effect on adherence to blood-pressure medications, and would also like to collaborate with the American Heart Association and offer the tool for use by other health educators

Poster summary: "One in three American adults (67 million people) suffer from high blood pressure, and approximately half of patients with hypertension have uncontrolled blood pressure costing about $46 billion annually for health care services, medications, and loss of productivity at work. Adherence to antihypertensives is generally poor and contributes to the number of patients not managing their high blood pressure. Educating patients about high blood pressure and the role that medications and lifestyle changes play is critical to improving patient understanding and management of high blood pressure."