Johns Hopkins researcher leads free cardiovascular screenings for elderly in Delta

In this interview, Johns Hopkins cardiovascular health researcher Dr. Elohor Oborevwori speaks on a recent medical outreach that delivered free cardiovascular screenings to more than 250 elderly residents across Delta State, helping to close critical gaps in preventive healthcare for underserved communities. The outreach was organised by the You Matter Charity Foundation (YMCF), where Dr. Oborevwori serves as a director, and provided comprehensive cardiovascular assessments to older adults who rarely have access to routine medical care. The initiative reflects her broader commitment to translating cutting-edge global cardiovascular research into practical, community-based interventions that improve public health outcomes. She spoke with SIMON UTEBOR. Excerpts:

Brief introduction and motivation for the outreach

I am Dr. Elohor Oborevwori, a researcher with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, United States. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, yet many elderly Nigerians have never had their blood pressure checked or undergone any form of cardiovascular risk assessment. Our goal was simple but urgent: to bring evidence-based screening and health education directly to communities that need it most.

The programme offered blood pressure monitoring, cardiovascular risk assessments, cholesterol screening, and targeted health education focused on hypertension and heart disease prevention. According to World Health Organisation data, hypertension affects between 30 and 40 per cent of Nigerian adults, yet a significant proportion remain undiagnosed.

Why early detection matters

Early detection is critical. For many participants, this outreach marked the first time they learnt about their cardiovascular health status. Beyond screening, we provided practical guidance on disease prevention and long-term management. Working closely with Dr. Ejiro Orhewere, head of the medical outreach team, we identified several cases of previously undiagnosed hypertension and ensured immediate referrals for follow-up care. In practical terms, this intervention may have prevented serious cardiovascular complications for dozens of elderly residents who would otherwise have gone unscreened.

As a Research Programme Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, this outreach also reconnected me to my home community. My research centres on cardiovascular health equity. I currently coordinate the ADHINCRA study, a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial on hypertension control in Ghana and Nigeria; the CROWN study, which evaluates salon-based cardiovascular interventions; and the THRIVE study, examining food-as-medicine approaches to hypertension management. This outreach allowed me to translate evidence-based research into real-world impact in Delta State.

Plans for expansion and collaboration

Gender disparities remain a major challenge in cardiovascular care. Women’s symptoms are often under-recognised in clinical settings compared to men’s. During the outreach, we placed deliberate emphasis on educating women about their unique cardiovascular risks and encouraged them to advocate for comprehensive screening during routine healthcare visits. We are planning additional outreach programmes before the end of 2026, with the aim of ensuring more communities understand their cardiovascular health status and are empowered to make informed decisions about disease prevention and management.

Through the You Matter Charity Foundation, I have been able to lead multiple community health initiatives across Delta State, including breastfeeding awareness campaigns, menstrual health programmes, and disability care services, with a strong focus on marginalised populations such as children with autism and special needs. This recent outreach strengthened early detection and prevention among the elderly while also offering a scalable model for equity-driven healthcare delivery. As preventive care remains a persistent gap in Nigeria’s health system, collaborations that blend scientific expertise with grassroots engagement continue to demonstrate their power to save lives and strengthen community health outcomes.