CONCERNED BLACK MEN, CALVERT MEMORIAL OFFER YOU LONGER LIFE

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD (February 11, 1999) -- In celebration of Black History Month,the Concerned Black Men (CBM) of Calvert and Calvert Memorial Hospital (CMH) are offering the gift of better health and longer life.

CBM and CMH have teamed up to host a health fair focused on bringing awareness to conditions that disproportionately impact African-Americans. The health fair is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Carroll-Victoria Community Center, located along Route 2-4 south, in Huntingtown.

CMH staff will be on hand to conduct free blood pressure exams, issue take home colo-rectal cancer test kits and health risk questionnaires as well as offer a wide array of health-related educational literature.

Free prostate cancer screenings (for men only) will also be conducted. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. It is highly recommended that African-American men ages 40 and over be tested. Prostate cancer ismore common in African-Americans, striking one in every nine men. The screening consists of a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam performed by board certified urologist Dr. Krishna Jayaraman. Appointments are required and results will be mailed.

Free cholesterol screening for adults will also be conducted. Cost is $20 for the public and $10 for CBM members. Appointments are required. This screening provides a full coronaryrisk profile including a check of cholesterol levels and ratios and a glucose test for diabetes. Cholesterol screening participants may not eat or drink anything except water for 10 hours before the scheduled testing. Doing so mayskew the results, which will be mailed within two weeks.

And getting to the health fair is easy. Free transportation provided through Smart Ride by calling (410) 535-6932. For more information or to schedule an appointment for the healthfair, call CMH at (410) 535-8233 or (301) 855-1012 x8233.

The Concerned Black Men (CBM) of Calvert County came into existence nearly four years ago following discussions held by African-American men in the county. The chapter's mission, inpart, is to provide a holistic approach to services which support and strengthen the African-American family.