Cutting cardiovascular risk in barbershops

Abstract 

Background

Racial and ethnic minorities have lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor control and lower awareness of their CVD risk status despite being at higher risk for the disease. We sought to understand the reach and potential impact of delivering a CVD risk reduction program by Community Health Workers (CHW) in 15 Denver, Colorado barbershops.

Methods

This mixed-methods study analyzed data from CVD screenings of 1674 barbershop clients and from semi-structured interviews with barbershop owners.

Results

In 2 years, two CHWs screened a total of 1674 clients in barbershops for cardiovascular risk, nearly 80% of whom were African American. Screening results indicated that clients visiting barbershops are at risk for CVD and other health conditions. One third of clients had medium or high Framingham risk scores, one-quarter had mildly to severely high blood pressure, 45% had borderline high or high cholesterol, with 75% of clients considered overweight or obese according to BMI. Importantly, 41% of screened clients reported having no prior knowledge of their CVD risk before the screening. Barbershop owners reported many benefits of this screening program on their businesses, clients and personal health.

Conclusions

Barbershops represent a promising venue for reaching primarily male, African American populations at risk for cardiovascular disease. © 2009 WPMH gmbH. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Community-based health screening, African American populations