LSU Shreveport Medical School Health is sponsoring a new program for the health of African American men in the control. With "Barbers awareness of blood pressure," teach medical students barbers, how to take blood pressure from their customers.
Black prone to high blood pressure at a younger age than other groups to develop and are more likely to develop complications such as stroke, kidney disease, blindness, dementia and heart disease age. Because no obvious symptoms, is known as a "silent killer".
Barber, a place for African American men to meet, share stories and talk about sports or politics, is the perfect place to reach this population of Joshua Jordan, MD, an internship in internal medicine at the LSU Health. He added: "You could say that the living room is the community center for African-American men even."
Hairdressers are likely very excited to bring the program into their tents, and said that when his barber is, always gets a lot of questions about health issues.
The program is started by a by an American cardiologist modeled, Dr. Elijah Saunders, University of Maryland School of Medicine. LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Robert Barish, MD, MBA, is with Saunders, before he worked to Shreveport. Chancellor Barish proposed the idea of community activists Dr. Artis Cash, who received with enthusiasm on board.
Dr. Jordan will help medical students and seniors LSU Health Shreveport. Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Mark Platt says he has an e-mail asking for help with the program, there were 30 on the first day. "This has created a buzz among students," he said.
Funding for the program will be covered by the funds of the chancellor. Electronic devices are not difficult to use, but hairdressers information obtained as to interpret the reading. Those whose blood pressure is too high, it will be called at LSU or other clinics, including the David Raines Community Health Center. "We will ensure that they see a doctor," said Dr. Jordan.
After the program, Dr. Jordan and Dr. Barish was established in fairs and hope to expand elsewhere in the community joins. Similar programs in Baltimore and other parts of the country have certainly led to the identification and treatment of people with high blood pressure.
Dr. Barish said once the program is removed, the chances of expansion might with grant funds.
The first training session will be on Friday, September 26 at 10 clock at Bos Men Barber set school, at 6213 Linwood Avenue in Shreveport.