North Texas area barbers train to help clients improve their health

The barbershop serves a deeper purpose beyond just haircuts, according to Duncanville barber Kirk Sanders.

“People confide in us about EVERYTHING,” Sanders explained. “So, the community tends to open up to a barber before they’ll talk to a doctor. That’s why being more than just a barber is part of my job.”

Sanders was among the barbers who attended a training session with Dallas Fire-Rescue at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center for the ‘He’s My Hero’ program. They learned about the importance of monitoring blood pressure and how to take accurate readings.

Dallas Fire-Rescue Lt. Chris Washington emphasized the importance of barbers in reaching communities, especially from a Black man’s perspective.

“Many of us, especially in the Black community, avoid going to the doctor,” Washington acknowledged.

Barber James Thomas highlighted the significant role barbers play in the lives of their clients, from street vendors to political figures.

“We interact with people from all walks of life,” Thomas pointed out. “They all come to us for haircuts.”

Washington encouraged barbers to leverage their gift of conversation to discuss health matters with their clients.

The initiative aims to equip barbershops with blood pressure monitors and encourage open discussions about health.

“We rarely talk about health in the barbershop. It’s time to change that,” Sanders asserted, emphasizing the prevalence of high blood pressure, particularly in the Black community.

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 55% of Black adults have high blood pressure.

Thomas proposed a proactive approach, suggesting barbers offer to check clients’ blood pressure during their visits.

The ‘He’s My Hero’ program, a partnership between the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center and MAVSFIT, aligns with the NBA’s health and wellness platform.

Sanders encouraged everyone to prioritize their health by getting their blood pressure checked regularly.

“I’m excited to begin this journey,” Thomas expressed eagerly.