More than 60 percent of black women are overweight. Many
black women will not exercise because of their hair. 'You're not going
to get anywhere talking about physical exercise in the black community
unless you talk about hair.' " For a Free Brochure “Sisters
on the Move”
More than 60 percent of black women are overweight. Many black women
will not exercise because of their hair. That’s right, the link
between hair and black women's health hasn't escaped the attention of
the medical community. With obesity comes a higher risk of heart disease,
diabetes, breast and colon cancer.
While researching black women's health issues, Harvard professor Rima
Rudd learned of the hair/health link at a community meeting. Someone
at the meeting said, 'You're not going to get anywhere talking about
physical exercise in the black community unless you talk about hair.'
" Interviews with Boston-area women confirmed the man's theory.
The research continued, at first with the support of the National Institutes
of Health. But the NIH eventually withdrew financial support "because
they said there was no scientific link between physical activity and
hair," she said.
Undeterred, Rudd and others spent $6,000 of their money to publish the
pamphlet, Hair Care Tips for Sisters on the Move. That was five years
ago.
In the last few months, Rudd gave the pamphlet to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention to republish. For a copy of the brochure for
your patients just click on Sisters
on the Move!
Or go to http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/sisterstogether/
But do more than read. Move until you sweat. Even if it costs you your
'do.'
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