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High blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke, is common among older adults, with prevalence especially high among older Black adults. Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. One explanation for the higher prevalence among older Black adults may be lower levels of exercise, due in part to limited access to places to be active and people to be active with, according to behavioral epidemiologist and health behavior researcher Martha Kubik. She found that when provided recreational opportunities in familiar communal spaces, older Black adults engaged in physical activity, with increasing levels of physical activity associated with lower blood pressures.
“Our study findings suggest that, when resources are available, older Black adults will take advantage of physical activity opportunities offered at places where seniors already gather, like senior centers and other community sites that participate in the congregate meal program, a federally-supported healthy meal program for seniors,” said Kubik, professor at the George Mason University School of Nursing.
As the U.S. population ages, with the number of adults aged 65 years and older expected to exceed 73 million or 21% of the population by 2030, supporting older adults in active lifestyles is proving critical to maintaining cardiovascular health. Kubik’s study engaged older Black adults residing in Washington, D.C., who took part in the congregate meal program at senior centers, park/recreation facilities, and public housing sites. She found participants’ activity levels were linked to the resources available at these locations, with the highest levels of exercise reported by attendees of senior centers that had daily programs, equipment, and instructors. In turn, blood pressure was reduced as physical activity levels increased.
“There is great potential for community sites that participate in the congregate meal program to expand services and regularly offer physical activity opportunities that engage older adults in a more active lifestyle. This approach may be especially beneficial for older Black adults,” Kubik said.
Physical activity, blood pressure and community dining sites: a Cohort study of older Black adults who participate in the congregate meal program was published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in August 2025. The study was funded by the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger.
About the author
Kubik, a professor in the School of Nursing, is a behavioral epidemiologist and advanced practice nurse whose research is focused on health behavior and supporting healthy lifestyle choices across the lifespan, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention and lower-income and minoritized populations. Her research focus spans childhood obesity, adolescent health and health promotion and disease prevention among older adults.
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