By Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
In church halls, community centers and conference rooms across the country, a quiet movement is gaining momentum. Its focus is on breaking the silence surrounding men’s health, particularly among men of color.
At the center of the effort is John Bruce, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Men’s Health Network and senior pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. The health network offers resources for men’s mental, physical and sexual health. For the past three years, Bruce has worked to connect faith-based organizations and health advocates to address chronic illness, mental health and the importance of early screenings.
“My personal journey started in Baltimore during the HIV epidemic,” says Bruce. “I watched churches become places of healing and outreach. That experience shaped my commitment to health equity.”
Bruce speaks on there being too many men, especially Black men, are left out of vital health conversations. A conversation with a rideshare driver brings the issue home.
“He starts talking about his father’s prostate cancer,” says Bruce. “He had never heard what symptoms to look for. By the time we got to the airport, he was in tears. That’s when I realize how powerful one honest conversation can be.”
According to USA.gov “Regular preventative health screenings can help identify signs of serious illness before they become deadly.” But many men don’t take advantage of these screenings, research shows that “in the U.S. 9% of prostate cancer cases are found at a distant stage.”
The Men’s Health Network seeks to create more of those open conversations through advocacy, education and strategic partnerships. One of its key collaborators is Charles Flanagain, a retired Air Force veteran and owner of RISE Resiliency, a mentoring and leadership organization based in Bradley County.
“I deal with mental health every day,” says Flanagain. “Working with the Men’s Health Network has helps me, but it’s also allowed me to help others who feel isolated.”
Flanagain says community events that open doors for men to talk openly about their challenges. He recalls being part of a panel discussion that brings together local leaders and health experts from across the region.
“We tell people to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” he says. “It starts with real conversations and leads to lasting change. I want men to know they’re not alone,” Flanagain said. “Healing happens when we show up for one another.”
Despite growing support, Bruce notes that the federal government still lacks an Office of Men’s Health, unlike the existing offices for women’s and minority health. That absence is part of what drives the network’s grassroots mission.
“We need to engage all sectors,” Bruce said. “That includes churches, schools, local governments and families. Community health means sharing our stories and encouraging others to do the same.”
Community health is about telling those stories,” he said. “They are stories of survival, of resilience and of hope.”