Screening for Hypertension and Diabetes in Laundromats in the Largest Hispanic-Majority City in the U.S.

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among laundromat users in San Antonio, Texas, and explore laundromats as a novel setting for health interventions regarding these 2 conditions.DesignThis descriptive, cross-sectional study involved demographic, blood pressure and HbA1c screenings to assess the health status of laundromat users.SettingThe study took place in 7 laundromats in low-income areas of San Antonio.SubjectsA total of 150 adults aged 18 and older who regularly used the laundromats and spoke either English or Spanish were eligible to participate.MeasuresHypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥80 mmHg. Diabetes was defined as an HbA1c level ≥6.5%. A survey collected demographic and healthcare access data.Results61.1% (95% CI: 53.0%-68.6%) of participants screened positive for hypertension, significantly higher than county (31.1%), state (32.3%), and national (32.7%) rates (P < .001). The prevalence of diabetes was 14.1% (95% CI: 8.7%-21.1%), slightly higher than Bexar County (10.2%) and national (8.4%) rates, though not statistically significant. Gender and the number of children in the household were significantly associated with hypertension and diabetes, respectively.ConclusionLaundromats can effectively serve as sites for health screening and interventions for hypertension and diabetes, offering a unique opportunity to reach underserved populations and address health disparities.