April 28th 2024.
The University of Houston recently played host to the second annual Black Men's Wellness Day on April 27. The event featured a "Save Black Men's Lives" 5K walk, health screenings, and over 100 vendors focused on promoting health and connecting Black men with social services organizations.
According to the Houston Chronicle, this event is just one of many across the country that aim to address the disparities in healthcare faced by Black men. Jamail Johnson, the Executive Director of the African American Wellness Agency's Houston office, expressed the organization's goal of saving lives. "We are bringing the clinic to the community," Johnson stated. "We don't want to wait until after someone has died to have these important conversations about our health. Our focus is not only on young men, but also on older men. We hope to make a difference and save lives."
Last year's event saw a concerning number of attendees being sent to hospitals around Houston due to high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other urgent medical issues, as reported by Johnson. This is in line with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which shows that the life expectancy for Black men is significantly lower compared to other demographics.
Richard Browne, the senior medical executive of Health System Strategy and Health Equity at Johnson & Johnson, shared with KPRC 2 in 2023 that each year the 5K walk takes place, someone is inspired to seek medical attention. "For Black Americans, the risk of amputation is up to four times higher compared to white Americans. And once you've had an amputation, your risk of death is 50% in one year and over 70% in three years," Browne revealed. "We see it every year at the walk, people learning alarming numbers that require immediate hospitalization."
Johnson also highlighted a partnership with Johnson & Johnson that provided free screenings measuring blood flow. This initiative hopes to address the alarming rate at which Black men are leading the nation in amputations. In January, Johnson & Johnson and the African American Male Wellness Agency joined forces to address healthcare disparities in the Black community.
In a press release, AAMWA President Kenny Hampton described the group's efforts in Philadelphia, stating their desire to inspire Black men to take control of their health. "The African American Male Wellness Agency is dedicated to bridging the gap between the community and institutions in order to address the health equity concerns that negatively impact the lives of Black men in Philadelphia," Hampton explained. "Our annual 5K Walk and Run offers free health screenings for men to gain insight into their health and take action against preventable diseases."
It's events like these that highlight the heightened risk of health issues faced by Black men, as emphasized by the recent passing of O.J. Simpson due to prostate cancer. By coming together and addressing these disparities, we can work towards a healthier and more equitable future for all.
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