Men’s health symposium to be held in Darlington
Darlington County First Steps and Macedonia Life Skills Center will host a free Men’s Health Symposium to address health disparities in men of color and encourage men to prioritize their health Nov. 23 from 10 a.m.-noon.
According to the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s South Carolina Central Registry (SCCR), the five leading causes of cancer deaths in African-American men were cancers of the lung, prostate, colorectum, pancreas and stomach between 2012-16.
SCCR also reported lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in African-American men, causing 51 percent more deaths than the second leading cause of cancer death, prostate cancer.
Studies have shown social factors such as poverty, access to health care, lack of health insurance, doctor distrust, behavioral factors, psychological stress and genetic/biological factors contribute to health disparities. The symposium is intended to leave attendees with knowledge of available and local resources and an action plan to take charge of their health.
“If we don’t educate ourselves, we lose. The more information people receive the more people benefit,” said T.C. Sawyer, Board Chairman of Genesis Health Care Inc.
The Men’s Health Symposium will be held at Macedonia Life Skills Center in Darlington on 115 Exchange St. A panel discussion will be facilitated by Tre Gammage of Gammage Enterprise.
Panelists will be cancer survivors and representatives from Man2Man Fatherhood Initiative, Genesis Health Care and other community leaders. Light refreshments will be available.
The first 25 people to register for the event will receive a gift card.
To RSVP, contact Patricia Sullivan, Darlington County First Steps, at 843-339-0819 or e-mail psullivan@darlingtoncountyfirststeps.org.