MetroHealth Announces Opening of Minority Men’s Health Institute
The MetroHealth System is proud to announce the opening of the MetroHealth Minority Men’s Health Institute, under the leadership of Charles Modlin, MD, MBA, Director of Health Equity & Medical Director of the Office of Equity, Inclusion & Diversity.
The Minority Men’s Health Institute welcomes all men, regardless of race, ethnicity or demographics. However, the mission of the Minority Men’s Health Institute is to address the numerous health disparities that disproportionately afflict and burden men of color and contribute to the higher incidence of chronic disease rates and lower life expectancies in men of color compared to other populations.
The Minority Men’s Health Institute will be housed within the MetroHealth Division of Urology and function in partnership with the MetroHealth Division of Medicine and additional subspecialty areas, as well as with the MetroHealth Institute for H.O.P.E., the Office of Patient Experience, Office of Equity, Inclusion & Diversity, the Department of Population Health and others.
“We know men of color have higher incidences and death rates from prostate, colon and lung cancer, prostate disease, heart and kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, HIV, stroke and mental health conditions, among others,” Dr. Modlin said. “Many of these conditions can be prevented, treated, controlled and/or cured if diagnosed in early stages.”
Biological and hereditary factors, along with many social determinants of health, including poverty, lack of access to quality care, education levels, cultural and health behaviors, lack of preventative health screenings and other factors contribute to many of the health disparities observed in men of color and that especially afflict African-American males.
American Cancer Society data demonstrates that up to 1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to a 1 in 8 chance for White men and the death rate for prostate cancer in Black men is twice that in White men. The American Urological Association recommends Black men start screening for prostate cancer at the age of 40. If diagnosed in early stages, cure rates of prostate cancer in Black men is equivalent to that seen in White men.
To schedule an appointment to be seen in the Minority Men’s Health Institute please call 216-778-4391. MetroHealth is committed to treating everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
MetroHealth also encourages everyone to save the date for the 2nd Annual MetroHealth Minority Men’s Health Fair, Thursday, April 27th, 2023, from 5-8:30 pm for a number of free preventive health screenings, health examinations and health education. Stay tuned for details.
Dr. Modlin is also leading efforts to implement the MetroHealth Multicultural Health Centers of Excellence which will encompass a number of health equity specialty centers within MetroHealth to address the various health disparities that disproportionately and negatively impact health outcomes in minority and multicultural populations of men, women and children.
Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.
