Today, Florida A&M University (FAMU) launches the Coalition on African-American Men's Health (CAAMH) as FAMU celebrates the National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, April 20-26, 2008.
"We are honored to announce a new initiative and to participate in the effort to increase awareness about the impact that cancer is having among men in the African-American community," said FAMU President James H. Ammons.
The mission of the coalition is to develop, promote and sustain independent, competitive men's health research and training programs at FAMU that create opportunities and promote careers for FAMU scientists. The coalition will also create a series of support networks and activities to assist men in the African-American community.
Statistics show that African-American men have the lowest life expectancy compared to any other group in the United States. Their quality of life is also poor. They are disproportionately affected by the leading chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and HIV/AIDS.
“In 2004, it was reported that the death rate for African-American men is two and half times higher than Hispanics or any other race due to prostate cancer,” said Ana M. Viamonte Ros, State Surgeon General for the Florida Department of Health. “We must raise awareness and emphasize routine screening.”
"With the disparate burden of disease experienced by African-American men, it is important that we address the health concerns that are specific to the population," said Folakemi Odedina, FAMU professor and director of the Economic, Social and Administrative Pharmacy and chair of the coalition.
The Coalition is comprised of FAMU faculty, researchers, staff, students, university partners and healthcare professionals.
"FAMU is ideally suited to address the mission of the coalition," said Cynthia Hughes Harris, FAMU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. "Our mission is to improve African-American men's health, increase their expectancy and enhance their quality of life.”
Among the activities the coalition has planned to highlight during National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, April 20 – 26, 2008, are:
Tuesday, April 22, 2008: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Get Linked: Cancer Information for you & loved ones
Florida A&M University Center for Minority Prostate Cancer Training and Research
Dyson Pharmacy, Suite 200
Wednesday, April 23, 2008: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cancer Information Outdoors at the FAMU SET
Florida A&M University Set
Thursday, April 24, 2008: All Day
Get Your Questions Answered on Prostate Cancer
Call 1 – 800 – 4 – CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
Call 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345)
Friday, April 25, 2008: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open House: FAMU-ACS Men's Health Resource Center
Florida A&M University Center for Minority Prostate Cancer Training and Research
Dyson Pharmacy, Suite 200
The FAMU National Minority Cancer Awareness Week is presented by Florida
A&M University, Florida Department of Health, American Cancer Society, Cancer Information Service, Northwest Cancer Collaborative, Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center and Bond Community Health Center.
Photo caption: Florida A&M University (FAMU) President James H. Ammons announced FAMU’s newest initiative, the Coalition on African-American Men's Health. Ana M. Viamonte Ros, State Surgeon General for the Florida Department of Health (far left) and Representative Curtis B. Richardson, District 8, joined Ammons and FAMU in support of the coalition.
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