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What is it?

Developed by MedStar Health, Hair, Heart and Health (HHH) is a community-based program that seeks to reduce risk for cardiovascular disease among African-American men. Barbershops serve as a community venue, offering screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes. The program trains barbers to measure blood pressure and weight and to serve as heart health advocates for their clients. A health navigator from the hospital is available to provide referrals to follow-up care services as appropriate.

Who is it for?

African-American men in the D.C. area

Why do they do it?

African-American men suffer disproportionately from high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. They also are a difficult-to-reach population.

Impact

More than 1,440 individuals have been screened for hypertension as of September 2014; nearly 26 percent of those without a hypertensive diagnosis were within a pre-hypertensive or a hypertensive range. Of more than 1,030 individuals screened for diabetes, less than 5 percent of those without a diabetes diagnosis were within a pre-diabetes or diabetes range.

Contact: Christopher King, Ph.D., FACHE
Assistant Vice President, Community Health
MedStar Health
Telephone: 240-604-8580
Email: christopher.j.king@medstar.net