Black men historically are reluctant to go the doctor. How often do men go to the barbershop? Once a month? Maybe more?
What We Know:
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center has partnered with Masters Barbershop in Nashville to help provide basic health care for its patrons.
- Getting basic care can help prevent things like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. The goal of this study is to create ease of access to healthcare by meeting people where they are.
- For Masters Barbershop owner, Jamal Stewart, it’s about more than just trims and fades. “I’ve got a deep connection to the community. I know a lot of people,” said Stewart.
- Pharmacist, Jarod Parish, said, “If you just help one person with their blood pressure, you’re saving one life. That means everything.” Should the study prove successful, the program will expand to more barbershops and the hope is to add tests for high cholesterol and diabetes to services they provide.
- Parish said, “If your dad doesn’t go to the doctor a lot, then you won’t go to the doctor a lot.”
While haircuts and healthcare may sound like an unlikely combo, it makes a lot of sense.
