Shackle Free Community Outreach Agency in eastern North Carolina is taking a unique approach to disseminating essential health information to the community by empowering trusted voices within the community. The organization trains barbers and beauticians to share information on vaccines, chronic disease prevention, and accessing resources like food and housing. This program, known as Shackle Free Buzz or “The Buzz,” operates in five counties in eastern North Carolina, targeting rural communities of color where barriers to healthcare access persist.
The founder and Executive Director of Shackle Free, Chiquitta Lesene, recognized the importance of utilizing barbers and beauticians as trusted messengers for health information. These community members often have longstanding relationships with their clients and are seen more frequently than physicians. By equipping them with knowledge and skills through training sessions, Shackle Free is able to reach a wider audience and address health disparities in underserved communities.
In recent years, Shackle Free has partnered with organizations like the Duke Cancer Institute Office of Health Equity to provide training on distributing information about cancers, diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. This collaboration has resulted in the certification of community health ambassadors, with a significant number of barbers and beauticians participating in the training sessions. These trained ambassadors then return to their communities to share valuable health information with their clients.
The organization’s efforts have been particularly impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they played a crucial role in ensuring vaccine access in communities of color. By partnering with Healthier Together and receiving grants for vaccine outreach, Shackle Free facilitated the administration of thousands of vaccinations for COVID and flu in the five-county area. They also set up tablets in barbershops to conduct health screenings and connect clients with resources.
Looking ahead, Shackle Free received a substantial grant to promote digital equity, which will involve setting up computers in barbershops and beauty salons for clients to access telehealth services and other online resources. Despite the increase in funding and successful initiatives, the organization continues to face challenges in securing continuous support, especially from local government sources.
The concept of utilizing barbershops and beauty salons as hubs for health information is not new. Research dating back to the late 1970s has explored the potential of training beauticians as mental health advocates and educating clients on various health topics. Over the years, interventions in these settings have proven effective in promoting health behaviors and addressing chronic health conditions like high blood pressure and prostate cancer.
The history of health advocacy in barbershops and beauty salons underscores the importance of utilizing trusted community voices to disseminate health information. Shackle Free’s approach builds on this legacy, recognizing the unique role that barbers and beauticians play in their clients‘ lives. By fostering relationships and providing valuable health education, these community health ambassadors are making a significant impact on improving health outcomes in underserved communities.
In conclusion, Shackle Free Community Outreach Agency’s innovative approach to health education through barbershops and beauty salons exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives in addressing health disparities. By empowering trusted voices within the community and leveraging existing relationships, the organization is making a tangible difference in promoting health and wellness in eastern North Carolina.