Man Up! For Health finds a new home

Free health fair moves to Wayne County Community College in August

DETROIT, MI - An annual free health fair and walk designed to get African American families to find a primary care physician has found a new home: Wayne County Community College.

The Man Up! for Health event, which in its five years has helped nearly 2,000 individuals get access to free health screenings, will take place on August 16, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WC3’s northwest campus, 8200 W. Outer Drive.

Officials from 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan expect hundreds to join them for health screenings from the major health care systems, Zumba and cooking lessons, lunch and a 1-mile walk.

“We know that, on average, black men die at least seven years earlier than men from other demographic groups, meaning as many as 40 percent of our brothers will leave us when they’re in their 60s,” said Bill Luse, president of 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit. “We want to change that with both prevention and early diagnosis.”

The free event will allow participants to be screened for a myriad of conditions and get health service and physician referrals as needed. The event is designed for the entire family, and refreshments will be provided.

“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is proud to partner with 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit on the ‘Man Up!’ event for the sixth consecutive year to encourage people to make their health a priority,” said Darrell E. Middleton, executive vice president, Operations and Business Performance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Blue Cross is committed to helping make Michigan residents healthier and preventive screenings, such as those offered at the ‘Man Up’ event, can help identify potential health issues before they become very serious conditions, which can improve individual’s overall health status and save lives.”

A recent study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found death rates for African Americans are 25% higher for cancer, 30% higher for heart disease and 41% higher for stroke than their Caucasian counterparts. Those numbers stem in part from the fact that, historically, too few black men go to the doctor or get treated.

For more information on 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit or to get involved, go to the organization’s web site at www.100blackmendetroit.org or call 313.874.4811.

ABOUT THE 100: The 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit Inc. is a group of concerned African American men whose goal is to improve the quality of life in the African American community through their collective resources, abilities and experiences.