The Post's article "Clipping Away at Illness" discusses how the health care industry is enlisting beauty salons and barber shops to help educate African Americans about heart disease. As a part of the Hair, Heart and Health Program, professional stylists are trained and provided the necessary equipment to screen for obesity and high blood pressure in their clients - a fabulous idea.
As a Black woman who has spent countless hours in hair salons, I'm convinced that an initiative like this is bound to be successful. First off, in the African American community barbers and beauticians are viewed as experts on a variety of subjects. During my visits to salons I have either received or overheard advice and opinions being dished out on cooking, relationships, beauty, religion, health, politics - you name it. These hair care professionals have a captive audience of people who respect thier opinions. Secondly, you'll find people in beauty and barber shops who may not have visited a doctor in years, but dare not miss thier weekly hair appointment.
Unfortunately many people do not participate in preventive health care do to fear or lack of insurance; some people just don't see the need. However bringing health care to these folks in an environment that is familiar and comfortable could have a positive impact. Now men and women can not only leave thier stylist looking good, but also equipped with information that may help to keep them alive for beauty and barber shop visits for years to come.
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