by Dianne Anderson

It’s that time of year again, when Black men fear not being taken seriously, or discriminated against by doctors, or need a PhD to dig through a maze of buried links to find local free and low-cost preventative screenings.

But that’s no reason to skip the to-do list.

Heart health – check, prostate cancer – check, diabetes screening – check, complete blood work – check.

Health experts are calling for Black men to beat the disparities that persist.

According to UCLA Health, men should check their blood pressure, cholesterol, and metabolic panels annually. Colorectal, prostate, and skin cancer screenings should begin at 45, or younger for Black men.

In 2021, Cal State Long Beach reported Black residents live an average of 71.5 years, about seven years less than other groups. Hypertension-related hospitalizations for Black adults also run double other groups.

Launched in early 2024, the city’s Racial and Health Equity Data Hub notes that the community-based research process shows the strengths and challenges facing the Black community. So far, they claim 337 responses, six listening sessions, and three community check-ins.

“The Black Community Health Needs Assessment team is currently compiling an analysis of the data that has been collected and developing a Community Asset Map, which will detail the resources available to community members for addressing needs highlighted in the data,” the website says.

For everyone, environmental risks add another layer of health concerns.

One UCI study shows that predominantly Black neighborhoods near the Port and I-710 suffer higher exposure to air pollution and industrial toxins, which increases asthma risk, heart disease, and obesity. Other zip codes, like 90805 and 90810, show life expectancy gaps of up to 17 years there compared to wealthier areas.

But for those who can manage to navigate all the gaps, the zip code disparities and race bias, Black men can check out their local health clinics where free or sliding-scale services, including primary care, reproductive health, labs, social support, and other screenings are available.

STI screenings, access to PrEP and counseling, are also available for teens, youth and young men, located at 2525 Grand Ave, Long Beach. Calls and walk-ins are also accepted.

Recently, another study looked at Black men’s patient-clinician experiences, finding that Black men face 2.54 times the odds of negative notations in their electronic health records. Even after controlling for background factors, the study showed that Black men are not so much trying to dodge care, and they are frequent users of preventative screenings.

But, they emphasize that systemic action is non-negotiable for Black men’s healthcare, and hospitals must enforce bias reporting and diversify staff. Researchers say that medical schools must promote anti-racism training that tackles microaggressions, and clinicians must commit to communication and active listening.

“The significance of this research lies in its qualitative approach that captures the nuanced ways Black men experience healthcare interactions beyond what health disparities data can reveal,” the researchers said, adding, “Addressing these disparities requires acknowledging the historical context of medical racism while implementing systemic changes to dismantle persistent barriers to healthcare equity for Black men.”

Another solution may be getting young Black men linked up to health resources and programs early on.

Ardel Guillamas Avelino, Chief Operating Officer, Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center, said that’s why programs like EM3, Educated Men with Meaningful Messages, exist.

He said it’s especially important for neighborhoods like 90813, where structural challenges like joblessness, violence, crowded housing, and limited insurance coverage are part of daily life.

In partnership with families through its Chronic Health Prevention Program, they host walking groups and community cleanups. They are active in citywide coalitions, including Long Beach Activating Safe Communities, the Invest in Youth Coalition, which funded 11 free programs this summer, along with One Long Beach Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Collaborative.

“EM3 youth and staff also collaborate with the Long Beach Unified School District to broaden the reach of the program through educational workshops such as reporting hate crimes or bullying,” he said. “These are hosted on-site at schools through school events or during lunch in wellness centers or school club meetings.”

Created by Families in Good Health at St. Mary Medical Center, the program started in response to high dropout rates and teen pregnancies.

He said EM3 crosses racial and cultural lines, offering leadership training and trauma-informed wellness support, where through art and physical activity, youth build life skills and resilience. So far, over 500 young people have graduated, with 85% pursuing higher education. Alumni often return to mentor new participants.

Youth also have a built-in connection with healthcare resources with referrals to low-cost or no cost services. Through their partners, they can access public health agencies and community organizations.

He said it helps local young men ages 14 to 19 on a better path to promote self-esteem. They have real talk about substance abuse prevention, stress and trauma, job skills, and college readiness.

“EM3 does address mental, emotional, and physical health needs of youth as seen through our curriculum with workshops on mental health, cultural identity, self-care practices, and evaluating the wellness wheel for each youth which includes physical health,” he said.

For the remainder of the month, those venturing outside Long Beach for health resources may want to check out the upcoming Black Men’s Wellness Day – LA: June Committee Meeting where they can get informed, share ideas, collaborate, and contribute to improving the health and well-being of Black men in our community.

On Thursday, June 26, the free Zoom event starts at noon. Their host, the African American Male Wellness Agency, is calling on Black men to come together to help plan Black Men’s Wellness Day in Los Angeles.

Each year, the AAMWA provides over 10,000 free health screenings annually, with health education programs in over 20 cities nationwide.

“By actively involving the Black community in our prevention programs and health awareness campaigns, AAMWA has taken a leading role in improving the health and well-being of Black men and their families. Our core message is simple: know your numbers, see your doctor regularly, and stay active,” their website says.

For more information:

On Long Beach free services and clinics, see
https://www.longbeach.gov/health/services/clinics/

The online Black Men’s Wellness Day, see
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-mens-wellness-day-la-june-committee-meeting-tickets-1408102425259

The Black Men’s Patient Study, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12154956/

The African American Male Wellness Agency, see https://aawellness.org/