RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — Barbershop talk is usually about sports, business or family.
Inside of Thee Latest Barbershop, owner Tim Stansell talks to his customers and barbers about their health — particularly their heart health.
“It ain’t nothing to be ashamed about,” Stansell said. “It’s about saving lives, man. I don’t want people to go through what I went through.”
A year ago, Stansell had his blood pressure screened by volunteers with the Pressure Project. A project started by Healthy Heart Nation who brings pop-up blood pressure screenings at barber shops and churches.
According to the American Heart Association, 55% of Black adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
The Centers for Disease Control report that heart disease has been the leading cause of death among Black Americans in recent years.
“I truly believe that if my wife didn’t make me go that day [to the hospital], I truly believe that there would be a great chance that I wouldn’t be doing this interview,” Stansell said.
Dr. Anissa Lacount, who leads The Pressure Project, said the lack of quality health care and healthy foods in Black communities play a major role in the concerning statistics.
