This weekend, a local group of socially and health-conscious residents will be running for their lives — and those of their Black/African American brothers across the U.S.
According to the American Journal of Men’s Health, Black men have higher incidence and mortality rates of “silent killers,” like heart diseases and hypertension, than their white counterparts.
This racial disparity has been attributed in part to diseases that could be prevented or improved by timely medical care, which may not be sought for reasons ranging from lack of access to distrust of the health care system.
The African American Wellness Agency (AAMWA) seeks to dismantle the imbalances through education, awareness campaigns and events like the Black Men’s Wellness Day 5K Walk and Run.
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Started in 2004 by John H. Gregory, founder of the National Center for Urban Solutions (NCUS) and the National African American Male Wellness Agency, the 5K is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Livingston Park, 760 E. Livingston Ave.
The day’s events will kick off before the race with a variety of health screenings beginning at 7 a.m. After the 5K, top finishers will be awarded medals and a post-race celebration will be held.
In addition to Whitehall Mayor Michael T. Bivens serving as honorary chairman for the race, actor Omari Hardwick from the Starz series “Power” will be the event’s ambassador.
Walkers are not required to register, but those planning to run the 5K must register for free. To sign up online, go to bit.ly/3LQcHL8. Online registration ends at 10:45 a.m. Saturday. Race-day registration begins in person at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Though it’s called the Black Men’s Wellness Day 5K Walk and Run, people from all walks of life participate. The Columbus race, one of 18 held nationally, brought out approximately 40,000 people in 2023, according to Jesse Toy, communications strategist for the NCUS.
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One-eighth of the attendees were men taking advantage of the health screenings.
“Last year, we were able to screen 5,000 Black men and 86% of these Black men were at high risk of high blood pressure and 56% of them did not know it,” Toy said.
“Through this event, we can save Black men … across the country from dying from preventable diseases.”