Family-Based Intervention Reduces Blood Pressure in Rural Chinese Communities

New research demonstrates that family support can significantly reduce blood pressure in rural Chinese communities through a comprehensive intervention program. Adults who participated in the Healthy Family Program achieved an average 10 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to non-participants during the six-month intervention period. The program was conducted in 80 villages throughout rural China with approximately 30-50 families in each village, targeting residents aged 40-80 years within participating families.

The innovative aspect of this program involved training local health workers as family health instructors who then trained one person from each household to become a family leader implementing the Healthy Family Program. Each participating family received a free blood pressure monitoring device and access to a smartphone app that provided automatic feedback on blood pressure readings and recommendations on when to seek medical care. The program also provided free low-sodium, potassium-enriched salt substitutes to replace regular cooking salt, addressing a key dietary factor in blood pressure management.

Professor Xin Du, M.D., Ph.D., co-principal investigator of the study, emphasized that most blood pressure programs focus on treatment for people with high blood pressure, whereas this study included the whole family regardless of their blood pressure levels. Family members without diagnosed high blood pressure also participated in the program, with those having normal initial blood pressure instructed to measure again in three months. All participants were encouraged to follow a diet prepared with low-sodium salt, participate in group exercises, and monitor their weight monthly.

The sustainability of the intervention was particularly noteworthy. Six months after the program ended, when educational sessions and free salt substitutes were no longer provided, the average systolic blood pressure for people in participating villages remained 3.7 mm Hg lower compared to non-participants. This suggests that participants maintained the healthy habits they had developed during the program. The digital app, blood pressure monitoring devices, and body weight scales remained available for families to continue using independently.

The study included 8,001 adults across the 80 villages, with half randomly assigned to receive the family-based intervention. Family leaders performed regular blood pressure monitoring and encouraged family members to participate in group exercises and educational sessions on healthy diet and weight management. According to Professor Du, family leaders played a critical role in implementing the program by supporting a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruits and legumes, and low in sodium, fat and sugar, which is crucial for managing blood pressure and preventing other chronic health conditions.

This approach could transform how communities prevent heart disease worldwide, particularly in areas where health care resources are limited. By involving entire families and communities rather than treating individuals, the program demonstrates potential for reducing cardiovascular risk factors at a population level. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025, though the study is considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Additional information about the American Heart Association's research and initiatives is available at https://www.heart.org.