Black Women's Health Imperative Launches "The Men's Room" Program to Improve Health and Wellness of Black Men, Reduce Diabetes Incidence

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Apr 27, 2022, 08:45 ET

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Black Women's Health Imperative announced the launch of "The Men's Room," a lifestyle-change program aimed at improving the health and wellness of Black men and reducing their risk of developing diabetes and other chronic diseases.

"As Black women, we often feel helpless as we watch the Black men in our lives struggle with debilitating -- yet preventable -- chronic illnesses," said Linda Goler Blount, president and CEO of the Black Women's Health Imperative, as she prepared to speak at a panel on health for young men at the OMBI NFL Draft Luncheon in Las Vegas. "That's precisely why we at the Black Women's Health Imperative have designed this program. By supporting Black men, we can support the Black women who love and care for them."

Black Americans are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as white Americans. Nearly 14% of Black men, in particular, suffer from the disease, as compared to 9% of their white counterparts.

Yet Black men are also less likely to participate in diabetes prevention or self-management programs.

The Black Women's Health Imperative hopes to change that with "The Men's Room," a CDC-sponsored National Diabetes Prevention Program. Using a curriculum developed by Black men, for Black men, the program will feature trained Black male lifestyle coaches that will help participants make practical lifestyle changes to get and stay healthy for life.

"For nearly a decade, the Black Women's Health Imperative has been a top-performing CDC partner in diabetes prevention," said William Rowe, senior program manager for The Men's Room. "We're excited to put our expertise to work for Black men."

For information on how to participate or collaborate with BWHI and our partner, Urban Health Resource, which is managing this program, contact us at [email protected].

About the Black Women's Health Imperative:
Established originally as the National Black Women's Health Project in 1983, the Black Women's Health Imperative is the first and only national non-profit organization created for and by Black women dedicated to improving the health and wellness of our nation's 22 million Black women and girls -- physically, emotionally, and financially. Our core mission is advancing health equity and social justice for Black women, across the lifespan, through policy, advocacy, education, research, and leadership development. For more information, please visit www.bwhi.org.

Media Contact:
Kirby Eule
Keybridge Communications
[email protected]
202-471-4228 x 126

SOURCE Black Women's Health Imperative