Overcoming Health Disparities Among African American Men: the FITShop

When compared to men of other racial ethnic groups, African American men have the lowest life expectancy and bear a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases. Also, key health behaviors linked to chronic disease (e.g. physical inactivity, smoking, obesity) are higher among African American men. Innovative strategies for reaching African American men, promoting health and reducing unhealthy behaviors are needed. One strategy for addressing disparities in health is to conduct barbershop-based interventions. FITShop (FITness in the Shop) is a two-phase, community-based participatory research (CBPR) study designed to develop and test the effectiveness of a multi-level physical activity intervention for African American men who visit barbershops. This seminar presents data on men who enrolled in the FITShop Study and methods used to engage barbershop owners/barbers and recruit participants.