About the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program
Background:
African American men suffer
disproportionately from preventable diseases and have the
lowest life expectancy than any other ethnic group. The Crisis
of the African American Male is further complicated by ongoing
health care disparities.
Project:
The DAP Foundation will launch The
Black Barbershop Outreach Program begin to assess the at-risk
African American male population in Los Angeles for cardiovascular
disease . Black owned barbershops represent a cultural institution
that regularly attracts large numbers of black men and provides
an environment of trust and an avenue to disseminate health
education information.
During The Black Barbershop Program volunteers
will measure blood pressures and screen for diabetes. Customers
with abnormal findings will be referred participating physicians
or health care facilities.
Expected Outcomes:
The primary objective of the Black Barbershop
Outreach Program is three-fold:
1. Cardiovascular Testing (diabetes, hypertension)
2. Information Dissemination
3. Referral
Our goal is to use the existing community
based infrastructure of black owned barbershops to conduct health
care screenings to approximately 200 African American men; provide
culturally appropriate educational materials about obesity, prostate
cancer, proper eating habits and give information about the signs
and symptoms of other diseases affecting our community.
African American Men and Their Health
Black men suffer far worse health than any
other racial group in America. There are a number of reasons for
this. They include racial discrimination, a lack of affordable
health services, poor health education, cultural barriers, poverty,
employment that does not carry health insurance, insufficient medical
and social services catering for black men.
Black Male Health Statistics:
• Black men live 7.1 years less than
other racial groups.
• They have higher death rates than women for all leading
causes of death.
• They experience disproportionately higher death rates
in all the leading causes of death.
• 40% of black men die prematurely from cardiovascular disease
as compared to 21% of white men.
• They have a higher incidence and a higher rate of death
from oral cancer.
• Black Men are 5 times more likely to die from HIV / AIDS.
During The Black Barbershop Program volunteers will measure blood
pressures and screen for diabetes. Customers with abnormal findings
will be referred to participating physicians or health care facilities.
Anyone interested in becoming a Volunteer
Please Call: 310-412-8009
Email Us: drbill@blackbarbershop.org
