The Men's Health Forum: Addressing Health Disparities
The Men's Health Forum: Addressing Health Disparities
The Men's Health Forum began its legacy in 2000 as the African American Men's Health Forum (AAMHF), introduced to the Tampa Bay community by the Florida Prostate Cancer Network (FPCN). FPCN was a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the extent and impact of prostate cancer on all people in the state of Florida and to providing practical strategies and developing a network to address such. As a network, FPCN was comprised of individuals, organizations and hospitals, which partnered to implement various events including the AAMHF. The AAMHF was founded by a local African American community member and prostate cancer survivor, who embraced the need of disseminating prostate cancer information in the African American community. He was motivated in part by his personal health experiences, and because it was recognized that African American males suffer disproportionately from most diseases and have a shorter life expectancy due to higher rates of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. After implementation of a community assessment by the local health department and collaborating community-based organizations, it was concluded that the most prominent etiological factors were lack of awareness and education about these diseases, lack of information regarding methods of prevention and early detection, and less access to quality health care opportunities. With this realization, the AAMHF intended to provide education and screenings for such salient health concerns as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and prostate cancer, in particular, which disproportionately affects the African American community. Participants were made aware of health needs and how behavioral changes can reduce mortality and potentially extend their lives.
The identified target population for this event was African Americans residing in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Historically, the AAMHF was held on the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough Community College in Tampa for several reasons: (1) accessibility to several areas within the two counties that have high rates of African Americans; (2) ability to manage 1,500–2,000 individuals with breakout workshops, meals and general auditorium with no cost for the facility; and (3) adequate free parking and easy access to all major roads and highways. The first AAMHF was held in 2000, with over 700 men in attendance.
Historical Overview of the Men's Health Forum
The Men's Health Forum began its legacy in 2000 as the African American Men's Health Forum (AAMHF), introduced to the Tampa Bay community by the Florida Prostate Cancer Network (FPCN). FPCN was a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the extent and impact of prostate cancer on all people in the state of Florida and to providing practical strategies and developing a network to address such. As a network, FPCN was comprised of individuals, organizations and hospitals, which partnered to implement various events including the AAMHF. The AAMHF was founded by a local African American community member and prostate cancer survivor, who embraced the need of disseminating prostate cancer information in the African American community. He was motivated in part by his personal health experiences, and because it was recognized that African American males suffer disproportionately from most diseases and have a shorter life expectancy due to higher rates of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. After implementation of a community assessment by the local health department and collaborating community-based organizations, it was concluded that the most prominent etiological factors were lack of awareness and education about these diseases, lack of information regarding methods of prevention and early detection, and less access to quality health care opportunities. With this realization, the AAMHF intended to provide education and screenings for such salient health concerns as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and prostate cancer, in particular, which disproportionately affects the African American community. Participants were made aware of health needs and how behavioral changes can reduce mortality and potentially extend their lives.
The identified target population for this event was African Americans residing in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Historically, the AAMHF was held on the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough Community College in Tampa for several reasons: (1) accessibility to several areas within the two counties that have high rates of African Americans; (2) ability to manage 1,500–2,000 individuals with breakout workshops, meals and general auditorium with no cost for the facility; and (3) adequate free parking and easy access to all major roads and highways. The first AAMHF was held in 2000, with over 700 men in attendance.