New "Buzz" about Fighting COVID-19 at Baltimore-Area Barbershops
Baltimore, MD - A haircut, a shave and a screening for COVID-19. A new partnership between LifeBridge Health and Live Chair Health will expand the program's innovative health screening initiative to more Baltimore-area barbers while also providing COVID-19 support in the form of PPE (personal protective equipment), screening tools, education and resources for barbershop clients who think they may have had been exposed to the Coronavirus.
The partnership builds on Live Chair Health's successful program working with local barbers to screen patrons for high blood pressure, BMI (body mass index) and other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Program founders recognized that the trust, friendship and camaraderie of the barbershop could be a vehicle for conversations around health concerns, which many men are reluctant to discuss. 
"Live Chair Health understands the special bond men have with their barbers and the potential to build on that bond to help men improve their health. At LifeBridge Health, we are thrilled to work with Live Chair Health on a pilot project to expand its reach initially to 20+ barbershops in our area, with the goal to connect with up to 1,000 additional clients," says Daniel Durand, M.D., chief innovation officer for LifeBridge Health.
He continues, "During this pandemic, we are also pleased to be able to provide PPE to these barbershops as well as COVID screening tools, education and support, including connections to help barbershop patrons access testing more easily."
Under the program, clients entering the barbershops will use Live Chair Health kiosks to answer questions about travel and COVID symptoms. Those who may have an increased risk for COVID can be connected to LifeBridge Health resources to receive support and information about testing. Clients can access these resources either through an app or the Internet.
"We are excited to partner with LifeBridge Health to vastly expand Live Chair Health's reach in the Baltimore area. We know that men in minority communities may be particularly reluctant to go to the doctor. At the same time, these men have increased risks for serious health conditions due to a variety of economic and environmental factors, the same factors that may also put them at increased risk for COVID-19," explains Andrew Suggs, CEO and co-founder of Live Chair.
He adds, "Through the special social connections of the barbershops, we hope to be a bridge for health systems such as LifeBridge Health to reach, engage, access and influence men so we can help them control or prevent chronic conditions and live their healthiest lives."
The Live Chair Health initiative grew out of connections first cultivated through a barbershop appointment scheduling app. This Live Chair app is now used by thousands of barbershop patrons in nearly 30 states. Understanding the special relationships between barbers and their clients, the team had the idea to see how barbers could be trained to be health advocates for their clients which includes basic health screenings.
Prior to the LifeBridge Health partnership, three Baltimore-area barbershops were part of the Live Chair Health initiative. Now, the partners will seek to expand the health t