Inside Get Up! Get Moving!: How Hispanic Federation Brought Health & Hope to the South Bronx
On June 13th, the Hispanic Federation brought its signature health and wellness initiative, Get Up! Get Moving! (famously known in Spanish as ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!®), to the South Bronx. Hosted indoors in partnership with St. Luke Roman Catholic Church, this vibrant community gathering brought together over 25 local organizations tabling alongside one another, all united by a single goal: empowering local residents through health education, active living, and direct medical screenings.
Participating as a tabling organization, High Hopes For The Bronx brought our preventive campaign, Better Blood Pressure, Better Bronx, directly to local families. The event served as a crucial bridge between neighbors and vital healthcare resources, offering families practical guidance on navigating discussions with their primary care physicians, as well as connecting them with local neighborhood walking groups to foster sustained wellness.
Making an Impact: By the Numbers
Throughout the day, our nursing team conducted over 120 free blood pressure screenings, engaging families in meaningful conversations about cardiovascular health. We distributed evidence-based educational materials and articles from the American Heart Association to support families making long-term lifestyle shifts.
While we welcomed every resident who stopped by our table, our team placed a deliberate, targeted focus on engaging men in the community—a demographic often underserved in routine preventive outreach.
According to data from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Community Health Profiles), hypertension remains a critical challenge in the South Bronx, where approximately 34% of adult residents report a high blood pressure diagnosis—substantially higher than the citywide average of 28%. Nationwide and locally, men are statistically less likely to seek routine preventive care, making on-the-ground outreach like ours vital in reversing heart disease trends across the borough.
Celebration Meets Prevention
Beyond medical screenings, the indoor event was a joyful, holistic celebration of community well-being. The Hispanic Federation and its partners filled the day with high-energy Zumba sessions, live raffles, and essential distributions of fresh produce and dry goods for families coming from every corner of the Bronx.
Community, Health, and Hope
Joining this initiative alongside the Hispanic Federation and fellow community tablers was the undoubted highlight of our week. We extend our deepest gratitude to the organizers and the resilient South Bronx residents who took proactive steps for their health. Our team looks forward to continuing to participate in upcoming community initiatives across the borough.
