CROWN
Healthy Hearts, Strong Communities
What is CROWN?
CROWN is a community-based initiative that focuses on improving cardiovascular health among Black and Hispanic women, with the goal of expanding to all women.
The program brings heart health education and blood pressure screening into trusted community environments such as beauty salons. Stylists are trained to become Heart Health Stylists who help their clients understand, monitor, and manage their blood pressure.
Through this innovative model, CROWN integrates salon-based education with home blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle counseling, and guidance from pharmacists and community health workers. By meeting women where they already are, the program creates a sustainable and culturally grounded approach to preventive care.
Women and Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, and Black and Hispanic women face significantly higher risks of hypertension and related complications.
Key data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that informed our work include:
- Black women have the highest rates of hypertension globally, with an estimated 58% affected.
- Hispanic women are less likely to have their blood pressure controlled due to limited access to consistent care and language or cultural barriers.
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., affecting over 60 million women.
These disparities highlight an urgent need for community-driven solutions that are culturally relevant and accessible. CROWN was developed to respond to that need by transforming familiar spaces into gateways for preventive care and education.
Reference: Wenger NK, Arnold A, Bairey Merz CN, Cooper-DeHoff RM, Ferdinand KC, Fleg JL, Gulati M, Isiadinso I, Itchhaporia D, Light-McGroary K, Lindley KJ, Mieres JH, Rosser ML, Saade GR, Walsh MN, Pepine CJ.
Hypertension Across a Woman’s Life Cycle. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2018;71(16):1797–1813.
Figure reproduced from: J Am Coll Cardiol, Vol. 71, Issue 16, 24 April 2018.
What do we offer?
CROWN provides a beauty salon based blood pressure control program to improve cardiovascular health of Black and Hispanic women.
The research components include:
- Personalized Hybrid Training for Stylists: Stylists receive customized training on cardiovascular health and hypertension through online modules and in-person sessions.
- In-salon Blood Pressure Screenings: Free screenings conducted in private areas of participating salons.
- Home Blood Pressure Monitoring: Participants receive blood pressure devices and free digital app access to track readings at home.
- Lifestyle Coaching: Personalized guidance from community health workers on diet, exercise, and healthy habits.
- Pharmacist Support: Clinical oversight for medication management and follow-up care.
- Social Needs Navigation – Screening for barriers such as access to food, transportation, or healthcare and providing connections to community resources.
Our materials are available in both English and Spanish to ensure accessibility for diverse communities. A key innovation of our program is the use of TikTok-style interactive training modules designed to make learning more engaging and relatable.
These short-form videos simplify complex topics and cover essential areas such as what hypertension is, how to communicate with clients about cardiovascular health, fun facts about heart health, and practical tips for healthier living. They also provide guidance on how CROWN can support participants in strengthening health education and resources within their communities.
Frequent questions
CROWN primarily focuses on Black and Hispanic women who receive services in participating beauty salons. However, all salon clients are encouraged to engage in the program’s educational activities and blood pressure screenings. Participants commit to actively taking part in the program, including screenings, consulting with the community health workers and pharmacists, and utilizing the resources provided.
Stylists participate in short hybrid training sessions that teach them how to measure blood pressure, discuss heart health with clients, and refer individuals to healthcare resources when needed.
Yes. All blood pressure screenings conducted through the CROWN program are completely free for salon clients.
Stylists receive compensation for participating, certificates and ongoing support from the study team. The clinical pharmacists, community health workers, and digital platforms are also available to provide guidance, educational materials, and regular check-ins.
Salon owners or stylists interested in joining can contact the CROWN research team at Johns Hopkins University to learn about upcoming training opportunities and partnership details. Interested salons will complete a short information form, and the team will schedule a visit to discuss implementation.
Contact the CROWN research team at Johns Hopkins University.
Instagram: @crown_research
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 410-567-0888
TikTok: crown.research
Who we are?
Why CROWN: I believe in “meeting people where they are” and supporting them to achieve blood pressure control and better cardiovascular health. Partnering with trusted community spaces like beauty salons allows us to reach women in environments where they already feel comfortable and supported. I am an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, and so honored to lead our excellent CROWN research team in this important work.
Fun Fact: We could either keep trying to get busy women to come to clinics… or we could take research to where they are already spending 3+ hours every few weeks. The salon won. Obviously!
Briana Adjei
Why CROWN: I joined CROWN because I’ve seen how hypertension affects women in my family and felt inspired to turn that into action. Through CROWN, I’m thrilled to help empower women, improve health outcomes, and advance equitable healthcare access for all.
Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I don’t know how to ride a bike, but my friends are determined to teach me before the year ends!
Cambria Adu
Why CROWN: I a a junior studying Molecular and Cellular Biology at Johns Hopkins University and I am excited to work on the CROWN Project.
Fun Fact: I have a Lego collection!
Why CROWN: I’m inspired by CROWN’s mission to bring health into trusted community spaces. Having a long-term, trusting relationship with my hairstylist, I find it meaningful that CROWN partners with salons to make heart health education accessible and empowering for women most impacted by health inequities.
Fun Fact: I love traveling and exploring new cultures through food. My favorite place I’ve visited so far is Marrakech, Morocco.
Why CROWN: I’m drawn to CROWN’s innovative approach to tackling hypertension by using trusted salon spaces to engage Black and Latina women. It combines community trust, health equity, and preventive care in a way that truly drives impact.
Fun Fact: I love photography content and love capturing everyday moments in creative ways.
Senam Ametsitsi
Why CROWN: I find joy in creating comfortable, welcoming spaces where women can learn about and take charge of their health. From the clinic to the salon, I love exploring innovative ways to connect and drive better cardiovascular health for all women.
Fun Fact: I love adventure, even though I’m a bit of a scaredy cat! I once managed to capsize in the largest man-made lake in the world.
Why CROWN: Through her work with the CROWN project, she aims to address health disparities and promote equity within healthcare systems. With a passion for community-centered research and advocacy, Kyara contributes to recruitment and engagement efforts that strengthen the project’s connection to the people it serves.
Fun Fact: I love to read! My favorite book is “If We Were Villians” by M. L. Rio.
Why CROWN: I am a junior from Puerto Rico pursuing a degree in Medicine, Science and the Humanities (MSH) with minors in Psychology and Writing Seminars. I am deeply interested in health and passionate about advancing awareness and education around women’s health, particularly women’s heart health. I recognize the importance of addressing gender disparities in healthcare and am committed to promoting knowledge, prevention, and empowerment to help women take charge of their cardiovascular well-being.
Fun Fact: I have three guitars, and have played instruments since I was seven years old.
Why CROWN: I believe that medical care should never be a privilege. I see Crown as an amazing opportunity to explore my passion for public health and stay connected to my roots as a Latina. As a tech team leader, it’s also a chance for me to learn, expand my technical skills, and grow through hands-on experience.
Fun Fact: I’m from Birigui, a small city in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil, and I love playing ukulele.
Harmony Madu
Why CROWN: I’m especially excited about the CROWN Project because it brings heart health interventions directly into community spaces through hair salons, making prevention accessible, engaging, and even fun for populations that are often underserved in traditional healthcare settings.
Fun Fact: I’m the oldest of 5 children, and we’re (almost) all 5 years apart. I have three brothers and a sister!
Why CROWN: I joined to make an impact in the research space.
Fun Fact: I love watching anime and sleeping.
Why CROWN: I joined the CROWN Project because I care about empowering women in my community to take charge of their health. I love that the salon setting creates a comfortable space to build trust and meaningful connection.
Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I love braiding and learning different styles to try on myself.
Why CROWN: I strongly believe in CROWN’s mission to improve access to heart health services for Black and Latina women disproportionately affected by cardiovascular diseases. Using salons—trusted spaces in our communities is a brilliant approach, and I’m excited about the transformative impact ahead.
Fun Fact: I love marvel movies, if you ever want to discuss the avengers, I’m you girl.
Jimena Onton
Why CROWN: Passionate about advancing healthcare access for underserved communities, I love being part of a group raising cardiovascular and blood pressure awareness in Baltimore and beyond. As part of the CROWN study, I assist with salons recruitment and outreach to support study implementation and engagement efforts.
Fun Fact: I can speak some American Sign Language – ASL
Why CROWN: As a pharmacist, I see how hypertension affects so many people, and I believe partnering with hairstylists offers an innovative way to reach individuals who might not otherwise engage with traditional healthcare settings.
Fun Fact: I love watching anime.
Raymond Papenfuss Owusu-Ansah
Why CROWN: I’m a physician and public health professional passionate about preventive medicine, fitness, and heart health. Through the CROWN Project, I get the opportunity to support heart health in the Washington–Baltimore area through trusted information delivery and outreach programs.
Fun Fact: I enjoy running and have a soft spot for fruits and green leafy vegetables.
Why CROWN: For me, CROWN combines everything I care about: building community trust, improving health through technology, and making sure everyone has fair access to care. Salons have long been significant places of connection and culture in Black and Hispanic communities, where women spend time, talk openly, and support each other.
By bringing blood pressure screening, health coaching, and support into these spaces, we are not just measuring numbers, we are changing how preventive care reaches those most affected by high blood pressure and getting them to be conversant with this discuss. CROWN is centered on turning trusted relationships into ways to promote better health and that’s exactly the kind of impact I would always advocate for
Fun Fact: I am a recovering bread addict.
Why CROWN: I’m drawn to the CROWN Project because it empowers women like me to take control of their heart health through a beautiful blend of community, connection, and prevention.
Fun Fact: I love immersing myself in new cultures, exploring all over India, studying in Oaxaca, Mexico, touring London, hang gliding above Rio, and savoring cuisines that connect people beyond borders.
investigators
Be part of crown’s impact!
IRB: IRB00497859
Our Clinical Partners
be part of our team!
Student Interest Form: https://forms.gle/mNHZGxXzfGzmuKpT6
Connect with us
Instagram: @crown_research
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 410-567-0888
TikTok: crown.research