Health system partners with barbershops to improve health

An American Hospital Association podcast explores how Indiana University Health in Indianapolis is sending community health workers to Black barbershops to provide valuable health care and public education. Community health workers offer cardiovascular health screenings and help people at risk for cardiovascular disease access care. Indiana Health also provides resources for people seeking childcare as well as those needing reliable transportation or clothing. Since launching the program in January 2023, the health system has completed nearly 3,000 blood pressure screenings and nearly 3,500 social needs screenings in trusted community settings such as barbershops, churches and food pantries. Nearly half of the people tested needed care.