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-- Press Kit -- News Release Participating Shops Fact Sheet - Baltimore Program Fact Sheet - Washington DC Program

Hair, Heart & Health launched in Baltimore in early 2006. In Baltimore, the program is a collaboration of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and the school’s Community Health Awareness and Monitoring Program (CHAMP).

The Baltimore program, under the leadership of UMSOM professor and cardiologist, Dr. Elijah Saunders, utilizes trained barbers and stylists as well as CHAMP outreach workers to deliver the program in selected barber shops and hair salons.

Facts About the Baltimore Hair, Heart & Health Program

• 13 participating shops and salons
  
  
• 11 barbers/stylists trained for the program. 5 CHAMP outreach workers visit participating shops to supplement
  
  
• 1805 participants screened at participating locations. 76 percent of those screened are African-American males
  
  
• 80 percent of individuals screened for the first time reported at least one cardiovascular risk factor (such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes, etc.)
  
  
• 59 percent of individuals who have no previous history or diagnosis of high blood pressure were found to have:
  
  
  • Pre-hypertension -- blood pressure levels of 120/80 to 139/89 and likely to develop high blood pressure in the future;
  • Stage 1 hypertension – blood pressure levels of 140/90 to 159/99; or
  • Stage 2 hypertension – blood pressure levels of 160/100 and above.
    
    
• Referrals from stylists/barbers and outreach workers are based on American Heart Association guidelines. Most program participants continue to have their blood pressure monitored at the shops at which they were initially screened.

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