Health & wellness
The goal of the National African American Male Wellness Agency is to raise awareness for preventable health diseases.
What We know
Black men in the United States face significant health disparities, with higher rates of preventable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. These disparities are driven by factors such as limited access to healthcare, economic inequality, and systemic racism within the medical system. As a result, Black men have lower life expectancy and higher mortality rates.
- 44% of Black men are considered overweight
- 38.7% of Black men are obese
- Black men suffer more preventable oral diseases that are treatable
- Black men have a higher incidence of diabetes and prostate cancer
Our programs
The U Got This Diabetes Program (UGT) provides Black men with the education, resources, and support they need to manage and prevent diabetes. With 60% of Black men at risk of developing type 2 diabetes by age 55, we offer workshops, screenings, and personalized care plans to empower individuals to take control of their health and improve their quality of life.
UGT Participants work with a personal wellness coach and receive a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices provide real-time glucose readings, replacing traditional finger sticks with small, wearable sensors that sit beneath the skin. These sensors offer painless, quick scans, tracking glucose levels over time and providing insights through a handheld reader or smartphone app.
CGM provides real-time glucose readings throughout the day and night. Small, wearable CGM devices replace the finger sticks of traditional blood glucose testing. Most CGM sensors are tiny self-applied devices that sit partially beneath the skin. They come with an inserter and have built-in adhesive to help them stick to your skin. Easily check your glucose levels with a painless 3,5 one-second scan instead of a finger stick.
To qualify for UGT:
- You must be 18 years old or older and live in Franklin County.
- You must be Medicaid eligible.
- You cannot currently use a CGM device or have used one in the last 90 days.
Interested in learning more or registering for the program? Click here: https://www.ugotthiscolumbus.com/interested
Annual 5k Health Walk & Health Screenings
Established in 2004 and having a presence in more than 16 cities The National African American Male Wellness Walk (NAAMWW) provides a 5k walk and run as an awareness campaign addressing the need for black men to live longer from preventable diseases. The heartbeat of each walk initiative is our health screenings where we screen for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, HIV, STD/STI and prostate cancer for men who may not be seeing the doctor regularly. We help men understand that through prevention they can live longer. Our mantra is for them to know their numbers, get moving and visit the doctor annually. The NAAMWW attended by over 100,000 people annually made up of men, women and children. All are able to participate in the walk and health screenings for free.
Black Impact 100
AAMWA partnered with The Ohio State University to bridge the gap in health education within the Black community. Black Impact 100 is a 24-week, community-based intervention research study designed to help 100 Black men improve their health powered by AHA’s Life Simple 8. The study’s goals include helping participants lose 7% of their body weight, achieve 150 minutes of physical activity each week, and manage their blood pressure effectively.
