Free Health Screenings Offered at Men That Matter Minority Health Awareness Day

Published: Monday, June 2, 2008

By offering free health screenings, organizers of the 5th annual Men That Matter Minority Health Awareness Day on Saturday, June 14 are hoping to address the local and national issue of health disparities.

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 and Prevention (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.

The June 14 Men That Matter event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the E.V. Davidson Community Center, located at 3124 Wilson Avenue in Knoxville, may help change some of these statistics. Created by the Tennessee Valley – James E. Derrick Elks Lodge, a multitude of healthcare providers and organizations throughout the community are working together to provide screenings for fathers, sons and all men that matter. Screenings are offered for women as well during the event, held the day before Father’s Day each year, focusing on members within the community who might not otherwise receive preventative health screenings.

“For African-Americans, Hispanics and other minorities, Men That Matter is such a significant event 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 truly may be able to help save lives in our community.”

The education and awareness provided by healthcare experts will accompany a multitude of screenings, tests and services, including blood pressure, blood glucose, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, sickle cell anemia, prostate specific antigen, cholesterol, kidney disease, urinalysis, dental screenings, physician consults and lung function. The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s mobile mammography unit will be at the event, with staff offering breast cancer screenings. Women must make an appointment in advance of the event for a breast cancer screening by calling UT Medical Center’s Breast Health Outreach Program at 865.305.9753.

“We’re proud that so many members of our healthcare community are coming together again to hold the Men that Matter Minority Health Awareness Day,” 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 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.”

In addition to the Tennessee Valley – James E. Derrick Elks Lodge #1152 and UT Medical Center, sponsoring and participating agencies include the Knox County Health Department, the National Kidney Foundation Serving East Tennessee, the City of Knoxville, the American Cancer Society, The University of Tennessee Development and Genetics Center, The Literacy Imperative, Inc., Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Helen Ross McNabb, KUB, Dr. Lendell Massengale, Jr., Cherokee Health Systems, The Knoxville News Sentinel, WBIR TV, Mercy Health Partners, The 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 865.212.0001 or visit www.menthatmatter.com.