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The African American Heatlh Crisis - What will you do?

Dr. J. Elisha Burke · Monday, August 25th 2008 at 7:26PM · 549 views
All of us need to do what we can to spread the information to other African Americans. I served as chairman for an African-American Men's Health Forum, that included a battery of 'free' health screenings. Much to the surprise of the American Cancer Society, white and black people too, 500+ men showed up the first year and 700+ this year. Mind you, it took the combined efforts of at least a dozen social service agencies, the ACS and it fund development staff to do the type of advertising campaign targeted specifically to the African American Male. Mind you,most of the men came because they heard about it in several media sources, but most said it was the information they, or their women saw or heard at church, in a church bulletin. In my capacity as Director of Men and Health ministries, I used every opportunity and option to get the word out to our churches over and over again. I am now working with the American Heart/American Stroke to bring awareness and concrete preventive actions to our people. I am saying this because many of you could do the same or similar things in your community. It is not the whole answer, but it is a start. What are your thoughts? What are you doing, or what will you do?

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Comments (3)

Kenneth X Monday, August 25th 2008 at 7:52PM

Thanks Dr. Burke, since I am a PE teacher at a elementary school, maybe I can hook up with one of those societies you mentioned, to bring awareness to fathers of the children in my school and/or district. Maybe I can call it "Father's Know Your Health status" day.

Dr. Burke how much effort do you think something like that would take? How willing will the people at the American Heart & American Stroke Societies be? What should I expect? I think this is something I would definitely be interested in. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Dr. J. Elisha Burke Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 7:23PM

Thanks for responding. It takes a great deal of effort, but in my case we invited person from other agencies who worked on committees to get thing done. I convened the meeting and oversaw the work and acted as the major spokesperson for the event. You should approach your local chapters of ACS, AHA, etc. and see what happens. Let me know if I can be of help.

Dr. J. Elisha Burke Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 9:33AM

Ms. Akhianyo, I am so glad to hear of your church conference with a health focus. Please let me know how it goes.

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