Shave and a screening?
Barber who suffers from hypertension opens his shop’s doors so others can be checked for disease
Butter’s Barbershop owner Amar Bell needs medication to control high blood pressure but does not have health insurance.
Bell, 45, who has owned the shop in Scranton since 2017, said he was approached by Geisinger Health Plan about hosting hypertension screenings to raise awareness in the community.
“I felt that it would be a good thing to do,” Bell said of the screenings offered Friday. “I know all about it (high blood pressure), so that’s the reason it was imperative for me to let other people know about it, as well.”
Geisinger Health Plan viewed the busy barbershop as a good spot for outreach.
Data on Geisinger Health Plan’s Medicaid members in Scranton shows that African Americans have higher rates of hypertension than other populations, reflecting national trends, said Rachel Heimbach, director of quality management for Geisinger Health Plan, the insurance arm of Geisinger Health System.
“We’re really committed to bringing care to the community and we have a large population of members in the Scranton area that we serve,” Heimbach said. “We thought it would be a great idea to bring the screenings to the community because this is a place where they come frequently.”
The outreach also provided information and education on oral health, including proper brushing and flossing techniques and fluoride applications for children.
Geisinger Health Plan also aimed to help uninsured people find an appropriate insurance plan. Linda Rowe, a GHP program manager, said Bell told GHP that he hears from people who need health care but sometimes avoid it because they don’t have health insurance.
“People qualify for different things that they don’t realize,” Rowe said. “We were able to offer information on pretty much anyone — seniors, children, entrepreneurs (business owners) and just individuals who need insurance.”
John Hubbard of Scranton went to Butter’s for a haircut and did not know about the screenings, but welcomed getting one.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all. I hadn’t had my blood pressure checked in about two years,” said Hubbard, 50, noting the screening showed slightly elevated blood pressure.
“It gave me information. It gave me knowledge and now I have a starting point (to act on it) before it gets out of hand,” Hubbard said.