Fresh Cuts Clean Health, a Community University Partnership initiative, will host a health night tonight at the Baranco-Clark YMCA to teach African-American and Latino men and their families ways to live a healthy life.

Tonight’s health night will be a March Madness-themed night where men will be able to watch the NCAA tournament and learn more about having a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s difficult to get men to be proactive about health,” said project coordinator and biological sciences senior Carlissa Wells. “March Madness is something that will spark their interest, as well.”

The health night is a follow-up program to the previous health screenings at barbershops in the Baton Rouge community.

Hilltop Barber Shop and L.E’ Gina Salon, the first barbershop and salon aimed at the Latin community, hosted initial barbershop screenings where minority men received blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol evaluations.

Fresh Cuts Clean Health is hoping to prevent, identify and reduce hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes among African-American and Latino men because they have a higher risk of getting those diseases than other demographics.

“Our goal is to raise prevention and awareness about heart disease,” Wells said.

The health nights are specifically for the barbers, screened participants and their families, according to Wells.

“At the health nights, we incorporate different aspects to make it fun and attractive,” Wells said. “There are sessions on portion control, dental health and tobacco prevention and awareness. Zumba and exercise sessions are offered.”

The Fresh Cuts Clean Health initiative depends on many local health organizations for its success, Wells said.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is one of the program’s sponsors, which is part of Mayor-President Kip Holden’s Healthy BR Initiative. LSU Health provides phlebotomy services to assist with the screenings, and Pennington Biomedical Research Center hosts the health nights.

Fresh Cuts Clean Health started in October 2010 when CUP was awarded an Impact grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield Louisiana, according to CUP liaison Brandon Smith.

Smith said CUP is looking to expand Fresh Cuts Clean Health.

“Our first expansion was to the Latino community,” Smith said. “But we are trying to expand outside of Baton Rouge to New Orleans, Alexandria — anywhere where there is an LSU presence. But our home will always be based in Baton Rouge.”

The health night will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Baranco-Clark YMCA at 1735 Thomas Delpit Drive.

”Our Goal is to raise prevention and awareness about heart disease.”