Mahogany’s Child

This longtime program is one example of Premier Health’s efforts to improve the health of African-Americans in our community.

How We Got Started

Founded in 2001, Mahogany’s Child aimed to educate African-American women about healthy behaviors and disease detection. In partnership with church leaders, we raised awareness about heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stress, breast cancer, and other issues prevalent among the African-American community.

Our New Focus

Over the years our reach has expanded. Programs target both African-American women and men. Our goal is three-fold:

  1. Provide opportunities to boost the detection of disease
  2. Educate about ways to manage existing diseases and prevent new diseases
  3. Organize activities that encourage exercise and other healthy behaviors through culturally relevant messages

Ways To Participate

Our efforts to educate the African-American community continually grow. Current programs include:

  • “Healthier You” discussions on WDAO radio (1210 AM). These hour-long monthly segments cover health topics important to our community, led by Premier Health physicians and other specialists. “Healthier You” is broadcast the first Wednesday of each month.
  • Barbershop Health Initiative. Begun in 2018, this innovative program took shape following the sudden death of a 27-year-old barber who suffered a fatal heart attack during a break from his work. In memory of this young man, Premier Health specialists taught participating barbers about cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and other preventable diseases. Not only do these barbers coach their customers as they go about their work, they also host health care specialists who provide free screenings and education to anyone who wants to participate.

    Barbershop Days routinely include Premier Health’s mobile mammography coach, education lab, healthy snacks, and broadcasts from area radio stations. Today, new ideas are being implemented in order to expand the program’s reach and benefits to those who attend.

  • African-American Wellness Walk. Since 2001 this annual, non-competitive 5K walk has raised awareness about healthy behaviors. In recent years the walk has included a wellness village where participants can receive free health screenings, important health-related information, and links to community resources. The walk is typically held on a Saturday in June.

For more information about Mahogany’s Child, please call (937) 499-8426(937) 499-8426.

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