The Diabetic Amputation Prevention (DAP) Foundation announced today that it will launch the Florida Initiative of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, on Saturday, August 28, 2010.  This unique and innovative program will provide free diabetes and high-blood pressure screenings to men and women at black-owned barbershops and beauty shops throughout Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.  In addition, on-site medical professionals will provide educational materials about exercise, fitness, obesity, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, as well as a medical resource guide.  For the next several years, the program will travel throughout the United States with the goal of screening 500,000 African American men for diabetes by the year 2012.

The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, founded by Dr. Bill J. Releford, is pleased to include Black-owned beauty shops for the first time in South Florida, collaborating with Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) to address the health care disparities among African American men and women.  Hastings will visit the Neighborhood Unisex Salon in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, August 28 at 12:00 p.m.  The goal of the event is to empower African American men and women to take control of their health and become health advocates in their communities through education and prevention.

On July 30, 2010, Hastings introduced a resolution (H.Res. 1591) recognizing the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program and expressed his continued commitment to supporting similar initiatives that seek to improve health outcomes in black communities across the country through education, community involvement, research, and culturally relevant strategies.  The resolution currently has 18 co-sponsors.

The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program will be hosting a press conference with Dr. Releford at FoundCare Community Health Center in West Palm Beach on Friday, August 27, 2010.  FoundCare provides comprehensive medical care regardless of a person’s ability to pay and accepts a variety of insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and Health Care District programs.  Family practice, pediatrics, and infectious disease providers are ready to offer preventative health care services and welcome patients to establish FoundCare as their health care home.  Services are provided by bi-lingual staff.

DETAILS:

Friday, August 27, 2010

WHO:            The Diabetic Amputation Prevention (DAP) Foundation in cooperation with Congressman Alcee L. Hastings and FoundCare Community Health Center

WHAT:          Press Conference with Dr. Bill J. Releford, Founder, the DAP Foundation and Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program

WHEN:          Friday, August 27, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:        FoundCare Community Health Center
2330 S. Congress Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
(561) 472-9160

Saturday, August 28, 2010

WHO:            Congressman Alcee L. Hastings

WHAT:          Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program

WHEN:          Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:        Neighborhood Unisex Salon (735 NW 6th Street- Fort Lauderdale)

Additional BBHOP Fort Lauderdale Locations:

Total Look Hair N Nails (81 South State Road 7 – Fort Lauderdale)
Unisex Salon/The Firm (3165 Broward Blvd – Fort Lauderdale)
McCoy and Morris Barber Shop (1820 NW 19th Street – Fort Lauderdale)
Avenue Barber Shop (787 NW 27th Avenue – Fort Lauderdale)
El Toro Unisex Salon (6408 North University Drive – Tamarac)
L&K Barbershop (2870 State Road 7 – Fort Lauderdale)

Additional BBHOP West Palm Beach Locations:

All Dolled Up Salon (2835 N. Military Trail, Suite E – West Palm Beach)
Salon Ultimate (Peppertree Plaza, 4732 Okeechobee Blvd – West Palm Beach)
Cornercuts Barbershop (Park Plaza, 2100 45th Street, Suite A1 – West Palm Beach)
Rhonda’s Unique Touch Hair Salon (613 25th Street – West Palm Beach)
Mo Betta Braids & Things (428 Northwood Road, Suite 2 – West Palm Beach)
Paul’s Place Barbershop (519 Northwood Road – West Palm Beach)
All Doll-Up Salon (269 S. Dixie Highway – Deerfield Beach)
Basic Touch Hair Salon (418 Northwood Road – West Palm Beach)
Super Cut Hair Salon (376 N. Lake Blvd. – Lake Park)

For more information about the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, please visit www.blackbarbershop.org or contact Velda White (v.white9732@sbcglobal.net) at (310) 945-8453.

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings is Vice Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a senior member of the House Rules Committee, and Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

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