ECU Health Lifemodel Medication Clinic hosts cooking demonstration for Barbers for Life

“When you’ve got someone in your chair, you talk about everything — and health can be one of those conversations,” Dr. Michael stated. “Whether it’s social connection, nutrition or even checking blood pressure, you have opportunities to bring these things up. The truth is that a lot of people are living with chronic conditions they don’t even know about.”

“That connection between barbers and community health is exactly why the Barbers for Life initiative exists,” stated Kelly Spivey, group well being enchancment coordinator, ECU Health. “Barbers see so many people in their chairs, and they can make such an impact in so many people’s lives. Barbers for Life is our way of giving the barbers all the tools in their toolbox to be able to inform their clientele about all these amazing, healthy initiatives.”

Spivey believes occasions like this strengthen the community of barbers throughout the area.

“It brings them together, it lets them know what resources we have,” she stated. “If they see it firsthand, then they’ll be able to do it more. I hope the barbers gain a new vision on how they can prepare good food. We all have traditions and culture, but we can tweak little things that make a really big difference.”

For many attendees, the occasion wasn’t simply informative – it was private. Barber Wady Santos of Bongos Barbershop in Greenville stated taking part within the initiative is a part of giving again.

“We as barbers tend to give back to the community,” Santos stated. “Getting educated about health gives us the opportunity to help our customers learn about their own health.”

Santos plans to carry what he discovered straight again to his store.

“I’m excited to start changing my nutrition habits and helping my customers do that as well,” he stated. “We’re very thankful that ECU Health has provided that for us.”

Event organizers additionally educated the barbers on taking blood stress and gifted every barber a blood stress cuff for his or her retailers.

“Today just proves that when barbers are equipped with knowledge, resources and support, they become more powerful advocates for healthier communities,” stated Alston.

To be taught extra about future Dining with the Doc occasions free and open to the general public, please go to www.ecuhealth.org/occasions.