(Michigan City, IN) - Franciscan Health will provide free blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index screenings on April 19 at three Michigan City barbershops.
The effort is part of the 13th Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative.
The events, which are free and open to the public, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sharper’s Image inside Meijer at 5150 Franklin St.; N & Out Barbershop at 4327 Franklin St. and Platinum Designs at 1801 Franklin St.
Health education and giveaways will also be part of the events.
The Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males along with hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, local commissions and community partners, coordinate the Annual Black Barbershop Health Initiative events.
“Our goal is to educate on the potential risk factors of prostate cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes,” said Nila Williams, community health improvement coordinator for Franciscan Health Michigan City.
“We want to screen as many African American men as possible. African American men have the highest mortality rate than any other group in the state of Indiana and if we go to places where there is trust, like the barbershops, maybe we can make a difference,” she said.
Co-sponsors of the event include Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Michigan City Police Department, the Indiana Black Expo Michigan City Chapter, LifeChanges, LLC and MDwise.
