#United States #Health Foundation #Lauderhill #Black health #Lauderhill, Florida

Community Initiative to Promote Health Among Black Men

On June 11, 2025, the City of Lauderhill commemorated Black Men's Health Month with the kick-off of an impactful community initiative titled Take Your Loved One to the Doctor (TYLOTD). This campaign, spearheaded by the Health Foundation of South Florida, is designed to confront the pressing health disparities that affect Black men in Lauderhill and Overtown. Inspired by a national movement from radio host Tom Joyner, the initiative seeks to empower Black men to prioritize their health and engage in preventive care.

Campaign Objectives

The TYLOTD campaign's goal is to mobilize 500 Black men to take themselves and another individual they care about to the doctor, underscoring the significance of early detection and preventive health measures. The initiative will run from Men's Health Month through September, which also marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. By focusing on preventive care, the campaign aims to dismantle deeply rooted cycles of medical mistrust and encourage healthier lifestyle habits.

Key Campaign Features

• - Cut for Care Weekend: Local barbershops will transform into wellness hubs, providing free health screenings and enabling participants to sign health pledges.
• - Wellness Checkpoint Events: Through partnerships with clinics and mobile units, the initiative will offer screenings and navigation services for uninsured individuals.
• - Health is Wealth Communications Campaign: This culturally relevant media campaign will be disseminated in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole to reach a broader audience.

Community Engagement

Loreen Chant, the President and CEO of the Health Foundation of South Florida, emphasized the mission to build health equity: “We are not merely raising awareness; we are creating access points, building trust, and inviting men to value their health without stigma or obstacles.” This focus arises from critical data indicating that over 75% of Lauderhill’s population identifies as Black or African American, a demographic facing significant health hurdles.

Local leaders, including Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn, highlighted the profound importance of the initiative: “This campaign is personal. It aims to reach Black men before they delay care until it's too late. We are meeting them in familiar environments like barbershops, churches, and trusted community spaces, urging them to take action.”

Community Collaboration

The initiative enjoys support from various community partners, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and local wellness entities such as Banyan Community Health and the YMCA of South Florida. This collaborative effort is reflective of a larger commitment to health equity, ensuring that local bodies respond to the health priorities voiced by Black residents throughout South Florida.

Residents can engage with the campaign by visiting MyHealthPledge.org for a wealth of resources, including opportunities to pledge their involvement, find upcoming wellness events, and access educational materials. Notably, a FREE HEALTH SCREENING FOR MEN will take place on June 28, 2025, at the Broward Community Family Health Center, welcoming all community members without appointments or insurance requirements.

About the Health Foundation of South Florida

Founded over 30 years ago, the Health Foundation of South Florida has invested more than $148 million into nonprofits focusing on health and wellness programs across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. The Foundation’s vision is to serve as a catalyst for partnerships, policy reforms, and systemic changes aimed at enhancing community health, particularly for vulnerable populations. For more information about their initiatives, visit hfsf.org and follow their social media channels for the latest updates.

In summary, the Take Your Loved One to the Doctor campaign represents not just a health initiative, but a broader cultural movement toward improving health outcomes for Black men, reaffirming the belief that health is a personal, communal wealth that needs to be nurtured collectively.