Milwaukee, Wis., – November 19, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Risk Less. Do More. campaign announced today a partnership with the Black Beauty and Wellness Foundation, a collaboration aimed at empowering the Black community to protect their health against flu, COVID-19, and RSV. The Black Beauty and Barbershop Health Initiative will engage with beauty and barbershops to provide access to essential health resources, education, and vaccination opportunities.
This initiative will create Risk Less. Do More. resource centers in beauty and barbershops as well as in beauty supply stores across six southern cities. Participating locations will serve as centers of education, offering health screenings and materials that empower individuals to make informed health decisions.
The Black Beauty and Barbershop Health Initiative will also provide flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines during health and wellness fairs at the following locations:
- Empire Beauty School (568 Colonial Road, Memphis, TN) on Nov. 22
- The Cosmetology Institute NOLA (8460 Morrison Road, New Orleans, LA) on Dec. 7
- Shreveport, LA, on Dec. 14
- Greensboro, NC, on Dec. 14
- Greenville, SC, on Dec. 14
- Birmingham, AL, on Dec. 21
“Beauty shops and barbershops are gathering places, community spaces, and cultural institutions that play a special role in the lives of Black Americans,” said May Malik, senior advisor for public education campaigns at HHS. “By meeting people where they are, we can reach community members with information that helps them risk less from severe illness and do more this winter by increasing their confidence in vaccines that play a vital role in preventing severe illnesses.”
Stylists and barbers, who are often confidants and advocates for their clients, will share updated information to raise awareness of the steps individuals can take to protect themselves from severe illness and of the available testing and treatments for respiratory viruses.
“Our community goes to beauty shops and barbershops for more than hair and beauty services; they go for trusted advice and meaningful connections,” said Margo Wade LaDrew, founder and CEO of the Black Beauty and Wellness Foundation. “This partnership is about empowering these cultural sanctuaries with the tools they need to protect the health and wellness of their communities.”
Visit vaccines.gov to get started. Visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore to learn more about respiratory viruses, their risk factors, and disease prevention.
About the Risk Less. Do More. Campaign
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Pan Respiratory Virus (PRV) Public Education Campaign (PEC), Risk Less. Do More., seeks to inform the public about the influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines.
The campaign aims to motivate higher uptake of the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines during the 2024–2025 season, reducing the public health burden of respiratory viruses for individuals, families, communities, and the nation. Additionally, the campaign will increase public confidence in the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines; improve understanding of how vaccines work; and let people know when and where they can get vaccinated, especially in vulnerable communities. For more information, visit RiskLessDoMore.hhs.gov.
About The Black Beauty and Wellness Health Foundation
The Black Beauty and Wellness Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that aims to empower Black women and girls with the knowledge to make healthy lifestyle choices. At the heart of the foundation is an appreciation for Black women’s interest in beauty and for the unique role beauty shops play in Black culture—as trusted places where women exchange information and set cultural norms, including those related to health behaviors. The Black Beauty and Wellness Foundation is committed to the mental and physical health and total well-being of Black women and girls through forums, health education, health screenings, fitness programs, and beauty regimens. For more information, visit blackbeautyandwellness.com.
