5th Annual Health Initiative - ICSSBM
State of Indiana sent this bulletin at 04/07/2015 02:00 PM EDT 
The Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males (ICSSBM) is preparing to hold their Fifth Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative. This is an opportunity for members of the community to receive free health screenings, including blood pressure and blood glucose tests, at a local barbershop. Additional health care information will also be available at each of the 55 participating shops located throughout 15 Indiana cities. Health care professionals will be conducting these screenings at each shop with the assistance of medical volunteers.
African American males face the highest mortality rate from health related issues in Indiana and across the nation. It is critical that preventative tests are conducted regularly in order to catch these problems before they become severe and potentially life threatening.
The Kick-Off for this year’s initiative was held at The Brick in South Bend on April 2 in conjunction with the St. Joseph County Minority Health Coalition (SJCMHC). Health care professionals from across the state came to hear about the latest health care news and disparities concerning Indiana from State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams of the Indiana State Department of Health. The SJCMHC unveiled their new name of Community Wellness Partners as well. Following the presentations, attendees were able to receive free screenings and barber services.
Recently James Garrett, Executive Director of the ICSSBM, joined Antionette Holt, Director of the Indiana Office of Minority Health, and Kevin Hackett, owner of The Haircutting Company Barbershop on the Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s One Indiana television program to discuss the importance of this statewide initiative.
Click HERE to view the One Indiana Episode
The ICSSBM and our partners encourage everyone to come out and take part in this year’s Indiana Black Barbershop Heath Initiative. Click HERE for a list of participating barbershops in each city.
Follow our social media pages for updates. FACEBOOK - TWITTER
For more information about the Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative visit www.in.gov/icssbm or contact James Garrett at jgarrett@icssbm.in.gov.