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From Enweliku Kent, Asaba
Johns Hopkins University researcher, Dr. Elohor Oborevwori, has led a free cardiovascular health outreach in Delta State, offering medical screenings to over 250 elderly residents as part of efforts to close critical gaps in preventive healthcare for underserved populations.
The outreach, organised in collaboration with the You Matter Charity Foundation, focused on early detection of heart-related conditions among older persons who rarely have access to routine medical care. Dr. Oborevwori, who serves as a director of the foundation, said the initiative was driven by the growing burden of cardiovascular disease in Nigeria.
“Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa, yet many elderly Nigerians have never had their blood pressure checked or received a proper cardiovascular risk assessment,” she said.
Dr. Oborevwori, a Research Program Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore, United States, explained that the programme was designed to take evidence-based healthcare services directly to vulnerable communities.
“We wanted to bring screening and health education to the people who need it most, especially those who are often left out of routine healthcare services,” she added.
Services provided during the outreach included blood pressure monitoring, cardiovascular risk assessment, cholesterol screening, and health education on hypertension and heart disease prevention. According to the World Health Organization, hypertension affects between 30 and 40 per cent of Nigerian adults, many of whom remain undiagnosed.
Dr. Oborevwori noted that early detection was a key outcome of the exercise. “Many of the participants were learning about their cardiovascular health status for the first time,” she said, adding that several cases of undiagnosed hypertension were identified during the screening.
The medical outreach team was led by Dr. Ejiro Orhewere, who worked with volunteers to ensure participants received immediate guidance and referrals for follow-up care where necessary. The organisers said the intervention may help prevent future cardiovascular complications among dozens of elderly residents.
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Speaking on how the outreach aligns with her academic work, Dr. Oborevwori said the initiative reflects her research focus on cardiovascular health equity.
“My work at Johns Hopkins centres on translating research into real-world impact,” she said. “This outreach allowed me to apply evidence-based interventions directly within my home community.”
She said she currently coordinates major international studies, including the ADHINCRA study on hypertension control in Ghana and Nigeria, the CROWN study evaluating community-based cardiovascular interventions, and the THRIVE study, which examines food-as-medicine approaches to managing hypertension.
The programme also addressed gender-related health disparities, particularly among women. Dr. Oborevwori noted that, “Women’s cardiovascular symptoms are often underrecognised in clinical settings. We made deliberate efforts to educate women on their specific risks and encourage them to advocate for comprehensive screening.”
Dr. Oborevwori disclosed plans to expand the initiative, with additional outreach programmes expected before the end of 2026. “Our goal is to ensure more communities understand their cardiovascular health status and have the knowledge to make informed decisions about prevention and management,” she said.
She also commended the You Matter Charity Foundation for supporting community-focused healthcare interventions across Delta State.
“The foundation has provided a platform to implement programmes that address real health needs, from breastfeeding awareness and menstrual health education to disability care services,” she said.
The foundation added that the outreach demonstrates how collaboration between scientific research and grassroots engagement can strengthen preventive healthcare and improve health outcomes for underserved communities.
