Franciscan Health Michigan City will provide free blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index screenings at three Michigan City barbershops on April 20 as part of the 12th Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative.

The events, which are free and open to the public, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sharper’s Image inside Meijer at 5150 Franklin St., Platinum Designs at 1801 Franklin St. and Marvelous Cuts at 4327 Franklin St. Health education and giveaways will also be part of the events.

The Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males along with hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, local commissions and community partners, coordinate the Annual Black Barbershop Health Initiative events.

According to organizers, Black-owned barbershops represent a cultural institution that regularly attract a large number of Black men, providing them with an environment of trust. This creates an opportunity for education about chronic diseases.

This is particularly important in Indiana, where State Department of Health reports Black men have the highest mortality rate of any demographic and also have higher instances of prostate cancer than any other Indiana ethnic group.

In addition to Franciscan Health Michigan City and the Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative, co-sponsors of the Michigan City events include Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, HealthLinc, the Michigan City Police Department, the Indiana Black Expo Michigan City Chapter and LifeChanges, LLC. F

or more information, contact Franciscan Health Michigan City Community Health Improvement Coordinator Nila Williams at Nila.Williams@franciscanalliance.org or call (219) 283-9649.