A family-based health intervention program in rural China achieved significant blood pressure reductions among participants, demonstrating the potential for community-driven approaches to address cardiovascular disease in under-resourced areas. The Healthy Family Program, conducted across 80 villages in rural China, resulted in adults achieving an average 10 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure during the six-month intervention period compared to non-participating communities.
The program's design involved training local health workers as family health instructors who then trained one person from each household to become a "family leader" responsible for implementing health strategies within their families. Each participating family received a free blood pressure monitoring device and access to a smartphone application 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.
Unlike traditional blood pressure programs that focus primarily on treatment for people with diagnosed hypertension, this intervention included all family members regardless of their blood pressure levels. Participants with normal blood pressure readings below 120/80 mm Hg were instructed to measure again in three months and were encouraged to follow diets prepared with low-sodium salt, participate in group exercises, and monitor their weight monthly. The program's comprehensive approach addressed multiple lifestyle factors including salt reduction, weight management, physical exercise, and blood pressure control.
Six months after the program ended, researchers found that the average systolic blood pressure for people in participating villages remained 3.7 mm Hg lower compared to non-participants, suggesting participants maintained the healthy habits developed during the intervention. This sustained effect indicates the program's potential for long-term impact beyond the initial intervention period.
Professor Xin Du, M.D., Ph.D., co-principal investigator of the study and director of the Center of Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, emphasized the cultural relevance of the family-centered approach. "In many cultures, families share the responsibility of caring for one another and promoting a healthy lifestyle. In our study, 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," Du explained.
The study included 8,001 adults aged 40-80 years living across the 80 participating villages. Half of the villages were randomly assigned to receive the family-based intervention while the other half served as control groups. The program required support from local government for recruitment and coordination, highlighting the importance of community partnerships for successful implementation.
Researchers note that the intervention's success in rural China suggests potential applicability to other populations and healthcare systems, particularly in areas with limited medical resources. The findings were presented as part of the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 meeting in New Orleans, though the study remains preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The program's implications extend beyond blood pressure management to broader cardiovascular disease prevention. "This approach could transform how we prevent heart disease in communities worldwide. By involving entire families and communities rather than treating individuals, we can likely reduce everyone's risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in areas where health care resources are limited," Du stated. Additional information about the American Heart Association's cardiovascular research and resources is available through their official website.
