The Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males (ICSSBM) has completed the 5th Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative. The Kick-Off event was held on April 2 at The Brick in South Bend and this year the initiative was held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in conjunction with local commissions and community partners. Health screenings and educational information was provided at 54 barbershops in 14 cities throughout the state.
Recent figures from the Indiana Department of Health show African American men have the highest mortality rate of any group in Indiana. African American men also suffer from prostate cancer at a higher level in Indiana than any other racial or ethnic group. The Indiana Black Barbershop Heath Initiative, along with numerous volunteers, sought to enlighten African American men on understanding cardiovascular diseases through screening and educational health resources. We were able to conduct screenings on nearly 800 Hoosiers statewide. The ICSSBM and our health partners are currently reviewing the findings and will use the data to help target health related efforts in the future.
Receiving these screenings will help improve the health and well being of participants across the state, and the resource guides will assist in maintaining on preventative health. These preventative health measures will save money and, more importantly, lives.
The ICSSBM had over 50 partners for the 2015 statewide initiative, including Telamon Corporation, Novo Nordisk and the Indiana Minority Health Coalition. The initiative also enjoyed support from local health and community partners and is thankful for the public engagement in each city.
For pictures for the 5th Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative click here.