Borough President gets free health screenings with many other Brooklyn men

Borough President Marty Markowitz, along with almost 30 Brooklyn hospitals and health care providers and Best of Brooklyn, Inc., kicked off Take Your Man to the Doctor Week, an innovative men’s public health campaign for the week of October 20 – 25. Jamie Markowitz took her husband to a number of free health screenings being offered at Borough Hall throughout the week. Take Your Man to the Doctor Week is a call to action for men of all ages, ethnicities, and social standing to regularly visit a doctor and for the women who love them to make it happen. There is a huge disparity in doctor visitation between men and women, and statistics show that men are more likely to visit with the encouragement of a loved one.

“I making a simple plea to the women in Brooklyn: get the men in your lives to go see a doctor. I’m no different from most men out there. I absolutely hate going to the doctor,” Borough President Markowitz said. “If there’s a problem with our cars, men go to the mechanic immediately. But if a man has a pain in the chest, he often puts off seeing a doctor. But I know I couldn’t say no to my wife, Jamie, any longer, so I, along with many other Brooklyn men, are taking advantage of a week packed full of free screenings and consultations in locations across Brooklyn. Ladies, take your husband, father, brother, son, uncle, friend or significant other to the doctor. We don’t care how you do it. Trick him, bribe him or drag him to any of our free screenings because he’ll live to love you longer!”

Recent studies have found that some of the largest areas of growth in illness are occurring in men. Many men do not get checked for cancer and other conditions for a multitude of reasons, including fear of screening procedures, cultural/gender pressures to show strength, lack of information about the availability of primary and preventative health care and an inability to pay for health care. Take Your Man to the Doctor Week is a borough-wide effort to educate the public about this growing trend, and to inform men about free and low-cost health care options. The benefits are priceless – it will hopefully establish a regular pattern of medical care and develop a long-term relationship with a medical provider, foster prevention and early detection of disease and appropriate treatment of medical issues.

"Much of the illness and premature death that occurs in Brooklyn and across New York City is preventable through early screening and management of problems before they become serious,” Dr. Thomas Frieden, Commissioner, NYC Department of Health said. “This includes colon cancer screening, and treatment of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Doctors and other medical providers can help those who want to live healthier lives to do so -- to stop smoking, control their weight, or manage drug and alcohol abuse. New York City has one of the best health systems in the country, and we are eager to put it to better use for men in Brooklyn."

"Healthfirst is honored to be a major sponsor of the Take Your Man to the Doctor campaign," said Jim Boothe, EVP/COO, Healthfirst. "Healthfirst strives to be on the forefront in working with and giving back to the community, assuring access to quality healthcare is available to all residents of New York City."

“In keeping with Pfizer’s core value of “Community”, we are proud to partner with the Brooklyn Borough President in support of the Take Your Man to the Doctor initiative. This important initiative is directed at addressing access, awareness, and utilization of healthcare resources in the Brooklyn communities that we serve. We are committed to driving healthcare progress and adding value to the physicians and patients we serve everyday. Together, we will achieve our goals,” Tom Griffin, Vice President of Sales, Upjohn Division, Pfizer Inc. said.

“The doors at SUNY Downstate's University Hospital of Brooklyn are always open to encourage our community to take advantage of the many health care services we provide -- not just for men, but for women and children as well. So remember -- Take Your Man to the Doctor, and take charge of your health,” Dr. John C. LaRosa, President, SUNY Downstate Medical Center said.

Call 718-802-3875 or log onto www.brooklyn-usa.org for a complete listing of free health screening services and all participating hospitals, health centers, clinics and physician’s offices during this week. There also will be free screenings throughout the week at Borough Hall.

All Take Your Man to the Doctor participants will be eligible for a number of great prizes including a romantic night for two at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, dinner for two at the River Café, Pilo Arts Day Spa & Salon gift certificates, Modell’s Sporting Goods shopping certificates, New York Knicks and New York Ranger tickets, and more!

Take Your Man to the Doctor is being sponsored by Healthfirst, Pfizer, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Continuum Health Partners, Inc: Beth Israel Medical Center & Long Island College Hospital, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Lutheran Medical Center, American Cancer Society, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Coney Island Hospital Center, Courier Life Publications, Interfaith Medical Center, Kings County Hospital Center, Maimonides Medical Center, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital.