Ethnic minorities suffer from a disproportionate share of chronic diseases in the United States. Among African-American males, the health disparity is much more pronounced. In an effort to help address these disparities, UNAC/UHCP members donated their time in November to provide health screening for African-American men through the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program. This unique grassroots program, with a goal of screening more than 500,000 African-American men by 2012, provides free health screenings at black-owned barbershops – a cultural institution of familiarity and trust in many communities.

“It is so rewarding to get involved in the community and provide care to those who are most in need,” stated Darla Tillman, an RN at the Kaiser-Permanente Medical Office in Gardena. “Screening is so vital to African-American men, who suffer disproportionately from conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. Coming out here today is a real eye opener to what people without health care are going through.”

Compared to the general public, African-American males have a higher risk of diabetes and other cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Almost four million African-Americans have diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association, and many African-American men will die prematurely from cardiovascular disease (almost two to one compared to Caucasian men).

UNAC/UHCP members who participated in the outreach effort included: Darla Tillman, RN; Lonelyss Lewis, NP; Patricia Lacy, RN; Andrea Gardiner, RN; Dale Barnett, RN; Tim Uliasz, RN; Larry Rick, PA; Teresa Alcala, RN; Irma Bermudez, RN; and Fred Tinamisan, RN, along with several UNAC/ UHCP staff members. Throughout the day, volunteers had the opportunity to meet several celebrities, including Sherri Shepard (co-host, “The View”), The Whispers, comedians Kim Coles and Tommy Davidson, actor T.C. Carson, performers Yo Yo and Montell Jordan, and former LA Laker Norm Nixon.