by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings
Recently, I was honored to speak to many of the 1500 people attending this year's Legacy 2000 health conference. The free, all-day "Life Festival for Men of Color" involved African American men in a transforming event which affirmed their value through workshops, health screenings and discussions with health care professionals from almost every field of medicine.
As I awaited my opportunity to speak, I was thinking about the appalling numbers which have caused some commentators to describe African American men as endangered. There is an element of truth in the "endangered" label. African American men in Baltimore have the third lowest life expectancy of any group in the United States.
Nationally, we have the highest overall death rates from diabetes, hypertension, lung cancer and prostate cancer. Our younger men are dying in record numbers from violence, alcoholism, drug abuse and AIDS.
As I was being introduced to the Legacy health conference audience, I thought of my neighbor, Frank, and I decided to give a different speech than the policy argument and statistics I had prepared.
Frank works hard, never complains and appears healthy. He is the kind of family man and neighbor everyone likes.
One day, while Frank was at Bon Secours Hospital for a minor ailment, his doctor began talking to him about his blood pressure. Frank did not want to hear what the doctor was saying, so the doctor took Frank to the hospital's dialysis ward.
The ward was filled with African American men having their blood removed, purified and returned. "If you do not take care of your high blood pressure, Frank," the doctor remarked, "this ward is where you will be spending what remains of your life."
Frank accepted his doctor's advice. Simple changes in his lifestyle saved his life.
Frank's experience teaches that caring people must translate concern into action if African American men are to live long and productive lives. Tragically, many of us die from preventable causes. We often avoid medical tests and treatment until it is too late.
Prevention is the key factor in our struggle for survival. This is why I believe so deeply in the Legacy 2000 initiative - an alliance of Baltimore organizations and individuals dedicated to healthier lives for African American men.
Legacy's grass roots "Tree of Life" campaign will reach out to at least 6000 Baltimore men, encouraging each of us to improve our own health and that of our friends. Like the other men of this voluntary alliance, I have pledged to take some action which directly improves the health of 12 other men during the coming year. I will ask each of these 12 men to make the same commitment, and in this way, the "tree of life" will spread throughout our community.
Several weeks from now, a Guide to Men's Health Resources, prepared by Mr. Sean Wilson under the direction of Dr. Claudia Baquet of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will be distributed throughout our community. I encourage everyone reading this commentary to call (410) 366-3900 for their copy
I always try to acknowledge the heroes who are uplifting the lives of our people; but I am pleased that I will not be able to do so in this commentary. The Legacy 2000 effort is too widespread to do justice to everyone who is contributing to its success.
For the men of Baltimore, however, I must voice our appreciation to Legacy 2000's President, Ms. Joy Bramble, as well as Ms. Jayne Matthews, our Executive Director. By their efforts, and through the commitment of the hundreds of volunteers, our community is taking action to affirm the value of men’s lives.
As a consequence of Legacy 2000, thousands of men like my neighbor, Frank, will receive their full legacy of life. For all of us, I must say, "Thank you."
-The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings represents the 7th Congressional District of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives.