Initiative will offer men free health screenings for a variety of serious medical issues 

BRONX, NY (June 4, 2012) – For Men’s Health Week, three organizations, Affinity Health Plan, The Institute For Family Health at North General, and the New York State Office of General Services have teamed up to encourage men to get critical health screenings for free; and there is a reward for men who do: a free hair cut! The plaza on 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard in Harlem will be transformed into a “Pop-up Barber Shop” for one day, to get men spruced up just in time for Father’s Day.

Affinity Health Plan’s 3rd Annual “Get Screened, Get Clean” event will take place on Thursday, June 14 from 12 noon – 5 pm at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building at 163 West 125th Street in Harlem. The Institute for Family Health at North General will conduct free screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, HIV, kidney, glaucoma, and many more, allowing participants to receive a full check up on site. For men that get health screenings there will be barber chairs lined up in the plaza ready to get them groomed and styled for their big day. There will also be presentations on preventing diabetes and obesity, and a voter registration table. Sounds will be provided by WBLS on-air radio personality “Doctor” Bob Lee.

“This is an annual event we started two years ago to encourage men in our community to proactively take care of their health,” says Denise Rogers, Affinity’s director of community relations. “We are hoping that women will get involved too by making sure that the men in their lives …spouses, partners, brothers, sons, uncles, cousins, etc…come out to get screened. We value the partnership with The Institute for Family Health at North General, and the New York State Office of General Services in bringing these life-saving examinations to men in the Harlem area.”