Lift As I Climb

Fun Fact: The colors in the Barber pole go back to a time when barbers were not just cutting hair but were actually some of the first surgeons and medical practitioners. In fact the “Father of Modern Surgery," Ambroise Pare, started his career in the medical field as a barber/surgeon. Although many of the surgical and medical practices such as blood leeching, (that's all I'm going say about it) that were once practiced in barbershops are no longer practiced. Recent research has shown that the role of the barbershop in male health is still very much present in black male culture. 

Throughout history the black barbershop has been a place of communion for black men. Its a place of open communication and trust. Many barbers in fact hold a level of trust and influence with their patrons that would make a lot of doctors jealous. It's not surprising then that by taking advantage of this relationship, medical practitioners were able to reduce one of the biggest health risk to black males, high blood pressure.

In a novel research project in Los Angeles, pharmacists placed in dozens of barbershops to work with barbers and patrons. In this study patrons were placed in one of two groups. Those that were given pamphlets and those that met with pharmacist to be prescribed blood pressure medications if there blood pressure was high. In a surprising but not too surprising turn of events many of the men in both groups were able to significantly reduce their blood pressure. "At the start of the study, their top pressure number averaged 154. After six months, it fell by 9 points for customers just given advice and by 27 points for those who saw pharmacist" (1).

So how can you help? Realizing the importance of the barbershop, young black American Doctor Tisha-Ro has to decided to organize "Barbershop Doctor's Day,"  which will be held nationwide during Men's health month in June. She is currently looking for black male internal medicine doctors that can commit a minimum of four hours during the day to speaking and performing health care screening task such as PSA screening. They are also looking for site coordinators and barbershops that would love to participate. If you're interested in participating yourself, know a barber, a barbershop or a black male internal medicine doctor. Comment below or reach out to me and I'll get you in contact with her. :-)

1. Associated Press. “Barbershop Study Trimmed Black Men's Hair and Blood Pressure.” STAT, STAT, 12 Mar. 2018, www.statnews.com/2018/03/12/blood-pressure-black-men-barbershop/.