Shave and a haircut… and a blood pressure check?
Across the United States, nursing students are hitting the barbershops to encourage men’s health.
One specific target: heart health among black men. High blood pressure is sometimes called the silent killer — it has few to no outward symptoms but can increase a person’s chance of developing heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke. For various reasons, black Americans have a higher chance of developing high blood pressure than white Americans. So nursing programs (in partnership with nonprofits and other organizations) are making an effort to get out there and screen people for high blood presure.
Barbershops are one place where the health care “ambushes” are working. One student nurse was surprised at how open the barbershop atmosphere was — very few men or women were resistant to the blood pressure screening. People who wouldn’t necessarily go to the doctor for a blood pressure check are happy to have it done while they’re in the stylist’s chair.
And the health screenings aren’t limited to just blood pressure checks — although those are usually quick and easy. Some nursing students talk about prostate health, point out local doctors and clinics, and even test cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It all depends on the program.
The ambushes really are are working — more than one man who had a high blood pressure reading called his doctor for an appointment. Too many men just don’t bother with routine physicals and other preventative care. They go to the doctor when they’re sick or hurt, and leave it at that. My dad is of this school of thought, and only in the last few years has he started getting regular physicals and screenings.
If it takes sneaky tactics and health screening ambushes to get people to take better care of themselves, so be it. I think those nursing students are doing great work!