Local volunteers offer free blood-pressure program; council recognizes Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Volunteers from the Healthy Lives, Healthy Choices program told the Winterville Town Council they will offer free blood-pressure screening, weekly monitoring and health-coaching classes aimed at helping residents manage hypertension.

Valerie Walker, a retired nurse and leader of the volunteer group, described the American Heart's Know It, Control It program as a four-month evidence-based regimen of weekly blood-pressure checks, classes and health coaching. She said the group tries to screen congregants and community members to catch elevated blood pressure early and noted the mayor had high readings at a recent Market on the Square event. "We are trying to help the Winterville community get their blood pressures under control," Walker said, and asked residents to call the town office to register; she said the group prefers at least 10 local participants before starting and asked the council to help find a convenient meeting location in town.

The council also received a proclamation and presentation from Darryl Lange with the Pitt County Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Lange described state and local prevalence data, invited council and staff to join the coalition and listed upcoming webinars and the coalition's March meeting, while urging community education and partnership to reduce demand and support victims.

Mayor Ricky Hines thanked the volunteers and invited residents with hypertension concerns to sign up; staff indicated they would arrange logistics and share contact information.