YAAA Men’s Health Day Event Update

YAAA Men's Health Day Flyer
Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Over the last twelve years, Yale’s African American Affinity Group (YAAA) has celebrated Men’s Health Month by partnering with local medical volunteers to provide free blood pressure screenings and health information to members of the Greater New Haven community at local barbershops and salons.

We will not hold an in-person Men’s Health Day event this Father’s Day weekend due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Although we will be unable to provide free blood pressure screenings in person, we can still promote healthy lifestyles and draw attention to health issues and concerns that disproportionately affect the African American and Latinx communities from a distance.

The American Heart Association has a set of seven simple recommendations for a healthier heart.

  1. Quit smoking. Yale offers a Tobacco Free Yale Initiative to support tobacco users in their efforts to quit smoking. 

  2. Maintain a healthy weight

  3. Get active. Try to get at least twenty to thirty minutes of moderate physical activity a day. It can help reduce stress and boost your mood. 

  4. Eat well. Enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats, and practice portion control. 

  5. Control cholesterol.

  6. Manage blood pressure. High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for heart disease. 

  7. Reduce blood sugar. High blood sugar can lead to long-term serious health problems that include heart disease and diabetes.

Eating well, increasing your physical activity and quitting smoking can all help with your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as can reducing the sodium in your diet and limiting alcohol consumption. It’s important to work with your health care provider to track your numbers and work on a smart program to maintain your health. 

Being Well at Yale also has a terrific collection of tips on staying healthy during home isolation that can still be valuable as the state and campus begin to reopen.

Stay safe and healthy. We look forward to continuing our Men’s Health Day tradition in 2021.