Event Date: June 20

Despite positive progress overall in the health of our nation, African Americans, Hispanics and several other minority groups continue to have higher rates of death associated with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and infant mortality. Organizers of the 6th annual Men That Matter Minority Health Awareness Day hope to address the issue of health disparities by offering free health screenings to the community.

African Americans are much more likely to have and die from stroke and heart disease than white adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the United States is the highest in the world, according to the American Stroke Association. Other statistics show that disease by disease, the disparities go on for African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities in the nation.

“Men That Matter is so significant for African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities in our community because of the health issues we face,” said Mabrey Duff, event chair and member of the Tennessee Valley – James E. Derrick Elks Lodge #1152. “Men That Matters gives all minority men a chance to learn about their health and increase their health awareness. We also encourage the men to bring their wives or significant others to the event, because these free health screenings can help save lives in our community.”

The 2009 Men That Matter event, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at the E.V. Davidson Community Center, located at 3124 Wilson Avenue in Knoxville, is organized by the Tennessee Valley – James E. Derrick Elks Lodge, The University of Tennessee Medical Center, National Kidney Foundation Serving East Tennessee and a multitude of healthcare providers and organizations throughout the community. The organizations work together to provide screenings for fathers, sons and all men that matter the day before Father’s Day each year. Screenings are offered for women as well during the event, which focuses on individuals who might not otherwise receive preventative health screenings.

“We’re proud that so many of the healthcare providers in this community are coming together again to bring the Men that Matter Minority Health Awareness Day to those who really need these health screenings,” said Dr. W. Bedford Waters, a UT Medical Center urologist. Dr. Waters will administer the prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests, which screen for prostate cancer, at the event. “African American men in particular face many health disparities in our country. For instance, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and it has the highest incidence and mortality among African-American men. Prostate cancer can be cured if diagnosed and treated early.”

The education and awareness provided by healthcare experts will accompany a multitude of screenings, tests and services, including kidney disease, blood pressure, blood glucose, digital retinal, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, sickle cell anemia, prostate specific antigen, cholesterol, urinalysis, dental screenings and physician consults. Staff with The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s mobile mammography unit will offer breast cancer screenings. For the breast cancer screenings, women must make an appointment in advance of the event by calling UT Medical Center’s Breast Health Outreach Program at 865.305.9753. No appointment is necessary for the remainder of the services and screenings offered.

“The National Kidney Foundation Serving East Tennessee is pleased to participate in the Men That Matter Minority Health Awareness Day again this year,” said Helen Harb, president of National Kidney Foundation Serving East Tennessee. “We know that if we start early with education, detection and, if necessary, medical intervention, we often can postpone the onset of kidney disease or kidney failure and, in some cases, even prevent it from ever developing.”

Other Men That Matter sponsors and participating agencies include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Mercy Health Partners, Cherokee Health Systems, Knox County Health Department, City of Knoxville, Vanderbilt Ophthalmic Imaging Center, University of Tennessee Development and Genetics Center, The Literacy Imperative, Inc., Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Helen Ross McNabb, Dr. Lendell Massengale, Jr., Knoxville News Sentinel, WBIR TV, Knoxville-Knox County CAC, Tennessee Men’s Health Network and Chi Eta Phi Sorority.

For additional information about the Men That Matter Minority Health Awareness Day, call 865.803.8981 or visit online at www.menthatmatter.com.