With family support, adults in rural China reduced blood pressure by average of 10 mm Hg – www.heart.org

Report on the “Healthy Family Program” in Rural China and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 evaluated the “Healthy Family Program,” a family-based intervention in rural China aimed at reducing blood pressure. This report analyzes the program’s methodology, findings, and significant implications for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Program Methodology and Implementation

The study was conducted as a community-based intervention targeting a critical health issue in an under-resourced setting, thereby addressing multiple SDGs.

1. Target Population: The program involved 8,001 adults aged 40-80 from 80 villages in rural China, directly targeting health inequalities often present in non-urban communities (SDG 10).
2. Intervention Structure: 40 villages were assigned to the intervention group. The program was designed as a multi-stakeholder partnership (SDG 17), training local health workers to act as instructors who then trained a “family leader” in each household.
3. Core Components: The six-month intervention focused on promoting preventative health measures central to SDG 3.
   • Regular blood pressure monitoring using a provided device and a smartphone application.
   • Distribution of low-sodium, potassium-enriched salt substitutes to promote healthier diets (SDG 2, SDG 3).
   • Educational sessions for family leaders on healthy lifestyle habits, including diet, weight management, and physical exercise.

Key Findings

The program demonstrated a significant positive impact on public health outcomes.

• During the six-month intervention, participants achieved an average systolic blood pressure reduction of 10 mm Hg compared to the control group.
• Six months after the program concluded, a sustained reduction of 3.7 mm Hg in average systolic blood pressure was observed, indicating lasting behavioral change.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The “Healthy Family Program” serves as a powerful model for implementing health initiatives that align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The program directly addresses SDG Target 3.4, which aims to reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the observed blood pressure reduction is a critical preventive outcome.
• By empowering families with knowledge and tools, the model promotes health and well-being for all ages.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The intervention was specifically implemented in rural villages, which often have limited access to healthcare resources. This focus on an under-resourced population is a direct effort to reduce health inequalities within a country.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The program’s success relied on a multi-level partnership involving academic researchers, local government support for recruitment, community health workers, and families. This collaborative approach is essential for the successful implementation of sustainable development initiatives.

SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

• By preventing chronic diseases, the program can reduce catastrophic healthcare expenditures for families, a key factor in alleviating poverty (SDG 1).
• The educational component on healthy diets, including the use of low-sodium salt, contributes to improved nutrition (SDG 2).

Conclusion and Study Limitations

The “Healthy Family Program” demonstrates that a family-centered, community-based approach can be highly effective in managing hypertension and promoting healthy lifestyles, contributing significantly to the achievement of multiple SDGs. While the findings are preliminary and specific to rural China, the model offers a scalable and resource-efficient strategy for tackling NCDs globally. Further research is required to assess its long-term impact on cardiovascular events and its applicability in diverse cultural and healthcare contexts.

Limitations noted include:

• The study’s six-month duration was insufficient to measure reductions in heart attack or stroke.
• The results may not be generalizable to other populations without further research.
• The program’s reliance on local government support highlights a necessary component for replication.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The entire article is centered on a health intervention, the “Healthy Family Program,” designed to reduce high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The program’s success in lowering systolic blood pressure directly contributes to promoting healthier lives and well-being for the participants in rural China.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The study specifically targets “adults in rural villages in China,” a population that may have limited access to healthcare resources compared to urban areas. By implementing an effective, low-cost health program in these “under-resourced communities,” the initiative helps to reduce health inequalities between different geographical and socioeconomic groups.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights the collaborative nature of the program. It involved training “local health workers” to become instructors and notes that the program “required support from the local government for recruitment and coordination.” This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership between researchers, community health systems, and local government to achieve a common health goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The “Healthy Family Program” is a direct intervention aimed at preventing and managing high blood pressure, a primary NCD. The program’s strategies, including “regular blood pressure monitoring, the use of low-sodium salt substitutes and educational sessions on healthy lifestyle habits,” are classic examples of prevention and treatment measures for NCDs.
2. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • The program empowers families in rural villages by providing them with knowledge, tools (blood pressure monitors, app), and resources (low-sodium salt) to manage their own health. By focusing on an “under-resourced” rural population, it promotes health inclusion and reduces disparities.
3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • The implementation of the program, which relied on collaboration between the research institution, “local health workers,” and the “local government,” is a clear example of a public and civil society partnership aimed at improving community health.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 3.4:
   • The article provides a direct, quantifiable indicator of the program’s success: the change in systolic blood pressure. It states that participants “achieved an average of 10 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure” and that six months later, their blood pressure “remained 3.7 mm Hg lower” than the control group. This metric directly measures the effectiveness of the NCD prevention and management intervention.
2. Indicator for Target 10.2:
   • An implied indicator is the number and demographic of people from a disadvantaged group reached by the program. The article specifies that “The study included 8,001 adults, ages 40-80 years old, living in 80 villages throughout rural Mainland China.” This data point measures the extent of the program’s reach in promoting health inclusion within this specific rural population.
3. Indicator for Target 17.17:
   • The article implies an indicator through its description of the partnership structure. The existence of a functional collaboration involving multiple stakeholders (researchers, local health workers, local government) serves as a qualitative indicator of a successful partnership. The article notes that this support “may be necessary for successful implementation in other communities,” highlighting the importance of this partnership model.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsroom.heart.org