From Measurement to Outcomes: Hands-on Training Improves Blood Pressure Care
July 22, 2026
MCD’s Jodi Beck speaking to training participants about accurately measuring blood pressure during an in-person training event.
High blood pressure is one of the most common and most preventable drivers of heart disease. Yet it often goes undetected, and when blood pressure is measured inaccurately, patients can be missed or mismanaged. Solving this issue requires a workforce that is confident, consistent, and equipped to deliver accurate measurement and practical, evidence-based education in every setting.
MCD Global Health (MCD)’s Detection and Management of High Blood Pressure training program strengthens frontline capacity by combining hands-on measurement practices with clear clinical guidance and patient-centered education. Built to adapt as evidence evolves, the curriculum incorporates current recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and can be tailored to the roles, workflows, and community needs of participating teams.
That adaptability was critical as public health agencies rebuilt and onboarded new staff following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the request of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, MCD resumed in-person training in 2022 and has returned repeatedly, partnering with state and local leaders to provide customized trainings aligned with public health priorities and annual competency expectations.
Jodi Beck wears a blood pressure monitor while instructing a participant on how to correctly take a reading.
In 2025, MCD delivered a comprehensive training for local public health nurses, designed for field-based measurement, rapid orientation of newly hired staff, and reinforcement of core skills. Subject-matter experts contributed specialized content, including pediatric hypertension and community-based screening best practices. Across the sessions, 56 nurses participated, expanding the state’s capacity to deliver accurate, standardized blood pressure screening where people live and receive care.
Participant feedback underscored both quality and relevance. As one nurse shared, “Having been a registered nurse for more than 30 years, this training was amazing, and I learned things that I never knew previously.”
Beyond Massachusetts, MCD also delivered hypertension detection and management training for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, community health workers, and pharmacy technicians in Nebraska and Maine.
To support retention and professional growth, MCD completed the application process for the American Public Health Association continuing education credits, which were approved and awarded for multiple trainings in 2025. MCD also incorporated updated AHA/ACC hypertension guidance released in August 2025.
The impact was measurable. Pre- and post-training assessments showed knowledge gains for most learners, with many improving scores by 20% to 50%, showing that the program builds essential competencies for accurate blood pressure measurement and hypertension management.
By delivering high-quality training that can scale across roles and settings, MCD is helping communities strengthen a resilient, adaptable workforce, ready to meet the moment in preventing cardiovascular disease.
This story originally appeared in MCD's 2025 Annual Report.
By creating a free account on MCD Learn, you can access these online Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement training modules: