Atlanta Group Promotes Black Men's Health

Abstract

Although an avid tennis player and very trim at age 58, Terrell Slayton Jr. has a host of chronic conditions _ including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. But he knows that many other black men in his community don't even know the status of their health. "Even the most learned among us sometimes, for whatever reason, don't get that checkup as often as we should," said Slayton, who has learned to balance regular exercise and a medication schedule with his busy role as Georgia's assistant secretary of state. A program created by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher and a group of the city's top leaders _ the 100 Black Men of Atlanta Inc. _ is aimed at raising health awareness among black men. They are working to first educate themselves about their own health so they can teach others and serve as role models.