Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative


A new initiative aimed at meeting the health needs of African Nova Scotian men is underway in Nova Scotia.

The Department of Health and Wellness and the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs are working together on the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative, which seeks to address health disparities often faced by men of African descent.

Adapted from the successful Project Brotherhood in Chicago’s South Side, the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative is designed to create a culturally specific health clinic for African Nova Scotian men. Research has shown that black men are at higher risk for some chronic conditions, and they often face barriers to accessing health care because of issues like socio-economic status, racism, unemployment and under-employment.

Project Brotherhood in Chicago found creative ways to engage and support African-American men to access health care.  These strategies included free haircuts and meals at the weekly clinic, extended clinic hours, personalized care from doctors, professionals and social workers of African descent, and help with transportation to and from the clinic.

In Nova Scotia, the first step is engaging a community researcher to assess needs and strategies as the project moves toward setting up community clinics for men of African descent. The first clinic will be in the Halifax area, with a goal of adding others throughout the province.

The researcher wants to hear from men on what they’d like to see in a health clinic. To add your voice to the discussion, please contact Crystal Watson at watson.crystal@gmail.com or 902-817-7448.

Please join us at one of the upcoming community engagement discussions:

Feb. 8 - Community YMCA, 2269 Gottingen St., Halifax, 6 pm

Feb. 16 - North Preston Community Centre, 44 Simmonds Rd., 6 pm

Feb. 20 - Dartmouth East Community Centre, 50 Caledonia Rd., 6 pm

You can also share your thoughts through an online survey:
http://app.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/crystal-watson/black-men-s-health/

Deadline to submit feedback is February 29.

 For more information on the Brotherhood Initiative, please visit the links below:

Health and Wellness presentation on Project Brotherhood

Chicago Project Brotherhood site  

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